SOUTH SUMATRA —-— Every morning, he begins his lessons with a group prayer. After that, he rushes to the right side of the room to teach the third grade class, while the fifth grade class waits. After giving the third grade class their assignments, he moves on to the fifth grade class, then returns again. He continues like this until the school day is over.
“I start with the lower grades first because they are more prone to making noise. They are children, after all, still young. Once they calm down, I move on to the fifth grade,” she explained.
Amidst the challenges often faced by education in remote areas, there are always individuals who show extraordinary dedication to ensuring that every child in the nation receives their right to education. One of them is Tazkiroh, a teacher at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Ittihadiyah, Karang Dapo 1 Village, Karang Dapo District, North Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatra.
As an Education Graduate who has been teaching since 2006, Tazkiroh has become an important figure in the educational journey of children in the region. For almost two decades, she has devoted herself as an educator at the madrasah, which was established in 1956. Despite the limitations in facilities and natural conditions that often cause flooding, her commitment and perseverance have never wavered.
“Alhamdulillah, I am still healthy, still able to teach in class, still able to be useful to children,” she said gratefully on Wednesday (11/26/2025).
These simple words reflect her determination to remain in the classroom, where she feels she can be useful to the younger generation.
When she first started teaching, the school conditions were far from what they are now. The building was constructed from wood donated by the local community. There were only three classrooms, while the MI level has six grades. As a result, two or three classes had to be combined into one room.
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The school is located in a low-lying valley prone to flooding. Every time there is heavy rain, the river overflows and floods the school grounds. It is not uncommon for classes to be suspended, but the children still come to school. They roll up their pants, carry their books, and sit on wooden benches that are sometimes damp so they can continue learning.
In 2012, generous donors built four additional classrooms and a teacher’s room. Although the buildings are still far from ideal, they greatly help the learning process.
Currently, Tazkiroh teaches two classes at once (grades 3 and 5) in one room without permanent partitions. The classes are only separated by plywood. However, she still manages to teach in a simple but effective manner.
The year 2016 was an important milestone in Tazkiroh’s teaching career. She participated in Dompet Dhuafa’s Indonesian Teacher School Program (SGI), a program designed to improve the capacity of teachers, especially in remote areas.
“There are many benefits, especially in terms of discipline, teaching methods, and classroom management. Even when I took the PPG, much of the material was similar to what was taught in SGI,” she said.
In addition to boosting her confidence, the knowledge she gained from SGI has become a guideline that she still follows today. She feels more capable of managing learning strategies, more sensitive to students’ needs, and better prepared to deal with the limited conditions in the field.
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Even more beautiful is that she does not keep her knowledge to herself. She shares it with other teachers at school and at places where she has taught. The impact of SGI has spread, benefiting many people. This is indeed the strength of the Dompet Dhuafa SGI program in shaping inspiring teachers who become the driving force for change and spread it to their surroundings.
Even though she had moved from school to school, Tazkiroh returned to MI Ittihadiyah. There was something about that small madrasah that drew her back—a place she believed to be the best field of service.
Since elementary school, she had aspired to become a religious teacher at a madrasah. For her, being a teacher was not about salary or position, but a life path full of blessings. Now, many of her colleagues have become civil servants with better salaries and facilities. However, she remains grateful for everything she has.
“Blessings come from many doors. My children can attend college on scholarships. That is Allah’s secret gift to me for continuing to teach,” he said.
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In addition to teaching at MI, he also teaches at TPA. He believes that a teacher’s job is not only to teach knowledge, but also to shape character. That is why he enjoys every little conversation with his students. For Tazkiroh, a good teacher is one who can make her students feel safe, comfortable, and accepted.
“If their knowledge increases, their character is good, and they obey when guided towards goodness. That is a happiness that cannot be replaced by anything,” she said.
Tazkiroh ended her story with a calm smile. Simple, but meaningful. She knows that not everyone sees her work. However, she believes that Allah always sees her dedication. This story is a glimpse into the story of the determination of an educator who works without the spotlight of popularity and fanfare.
Dompet Dhuafa, through the Indonesian Teachers’ School (SGI), is here to ensure that great teachers like Tazkiroh never walk alone. Dompet Dhuafa aims to ensure more teachers in remote areas receive training and support so that Indonesian education can continue to advance. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika