SOUTHEAST SULAWESI — After traveling from Aceh, Bima, Rote Ndao to returning to his hometown on the Wakatobi Coast, Agustia, familiarly called Tia, has steadily dedicated his time to contribute to his homeland. In Wakatobi, he embraces youth and regional stakeholders to make a real impact by establishing a learning community forum nicknamed “Sikola Bajalan.” The community that Tia built targeted children around the area where she lived.
“Sikola Bajalan” was formed because of the anxiety of parents and school residents about the number of children on Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency, who cannot read after the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, Agustia was moved to do something for the sake of the children around her residence so that they could read and not miss learning.
Established on May 11, 2023, Sikola Bajalan created a literacy and numeracy education ecosystem for children in Wakatobi Regency. Sikola Bajalan activities occur in Mola Selatan and Mola Nelayan Bakti every Saturday and Sunday, located on the terraces of residents’ houses in Bajau Village, Mola Village.
Baca juga: Program SLI Dompet Dhuafa Sultra Tingkatkan Literasi di Wakatobi
Children who study at a mobile school (Sikola Bajalan) vary, ranging from those who are in school but cannot read, children who have dropped out of school, to those who have never experienced school. Currently, 52 Sikola Bajalan volunteers accompany 40 children in the learning process.
“She hopes that the mobile school (Sikola Bajalan) will become a place of learning for all children in Wakatobi Regency, not just Bajau children. In addition, through that kind of school, it is hoped that a positive culture will be created, such as habituation of children’s reading activities and fun learning experiences according to the needs and conditions of each child,” she said.
The existence of the mobile school has benefited the people of the Bajau Tribe. Every week, children already know the schedule of studying at that school. From those who initially did not know letters at all, now they can recognise and write letters well. Children who used not to be fluent in reading are now fluent in reading. Children who struggle to write and forget some letters can now write and pronounce letters fluently. Even children who previously dropped out of school now want to return to formal school.
Baca juga: SLI Perkuat Kolaborasi dengan Dinas Pendidikan di 11 Wilayah
Children’s awareness of the importance of school is growing, as is their interest in reading. In supporting this development, the mobile school (Sikola Bajalan) seeks to create a mini library for every child who visits the school location. This method strengthens children’s interest in reading and provides easier access to reading materials.
Agustia, the initiator of the mobile school (Sikola Bajalan)
“The perfection of life will be felt when we can empathize and be empowered for the people around us,” Agustia said on one occasion.
Agustia’s principle of life is to be an active player in the development of human civilization, not just a spectator. He believed that the knowledge that continues to be practised would never be interrupted, even though man has lived in the name.
Tia is a true learner. At his current age, he has never been afraid to develop herself and voice the literacy movement. Departing from his experience as a Volunteer Consultant for the 2nd batch of Indonesian Literacy School (SLI) in Bima Regency in 2018-2019, he then tried to become fully involved as a remote teacher in Aceh Singkil through the Young Teacher program batch 19 of the Indonesian Teaching Movement. After holding alum status, she devoted herself to her homeland as a teaching staff in Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.
Baca juga: LPI Buka Program Organisasi Penggerak Sekolah Guru Indonesia Wilayah Jawa Barat
Not only being a teacher, Tia has also been involved in several volunteer activities and works remotely. She has been a facilitator and trainer in the Indonesia Teaching Mobilization Organization Program (2021-2022) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Culture of Research and Technology. She is often sent to share knowledge and skills about literacy in the Rote Ndao Islands.
Although she has become an SLI alumni, her efforts and dedication in changing from school to school are timeless. From October 2022 to January 2023, she also facilitated the literacy program initiated by Dompet Dhuafa Southeast Sulawesi.
Thanks to her dedication and a handful of achievements, she has received appreciation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) as an Inspirational Youth in Wakatobi Regency. (Dompet Dhuafa/Fitriana Mahmuddin/Muthohar)