Examining one of Permata Gondai Kindergarten students.

Written by Lukas Banu Aji, Tanoto Foundation Riau

“Watch out, the doctor is coming and we will all get shots,” shouted some children of Permata Gondai Kindergarten, Pelalawan District, Riau. Most of them ran away, some even got scared and started crying.

Although some of these children were initially reluctant to approach the visiting medical doctor and nurse, through patient and friendly approach of the medical team, the children gradually forgot their fear. Some of the children started to playfully fight each other to determine who would be checked by the doctor first.

This occurrence took place when a doctor and a nurse visited Tanoto Foundation’s supported Permata Gondai Kindergarten. This Kindergarten was one of five combined Kindergartens and 19 child care centers that were located around the operational areas of Asian Agri, Tanoto Foundation corporate partner.

In October 2015, Tanoto Foundation started to visit kindergarten and child care centers and carry out the children’s personal hygiene checkups. During the visit, the children’s hair and scalp, mouth and teeth, ears and skin were checked for cleanliness. If mild irritation was found, then the children would be sent to Asian Agri’s clinic at Kebun Buatan for follow up check up and treatment. Once every six month, the children would be given anti worm medicine.

The team also educated teachers, center care givers, and parents regarding the importance of good personal hygiene for their children. These children were also encouraged to cut their nails regularly, use toothpaste while brushing teeth at least twice a day, and wash hands before eating. Further, children were trained to wash their hair with shampoo and taking baths with soap regularly.

“We are happy that Tanoto Foundation started this activity, particularly now the medical team will visit our schools regularly. This will also be a good reminder for the parents to pay more attention to their children’s cleanliness,” said Martiani Hertika Saragih, a Permata Gondai Kindergarten teacher.

“We understand that when children are clean, they are more likely to be healthy and can learn more things in the long run. This is one of the reasons why being clean is very important. Thank you, Tanoto Foundation,” she said concluding the conversation.

Teachers creating and showing students how to use simple learning tools.

Having been separated from District of Asahan in North Sumatra, the area of Batubara became a new district in the province. After the inauguration of Batubara District Government on June 15, 2007, the District started to further develop its many sectors, including education.

To commemorate the 70th National Teachers Day, Batubara District Education Office, supported by Tanoto Foundation, held different activities which aimed to strengthen teachers’ motivation and strengthen in carrying out effective teaching and learning process in class rooms. One of the activities that attracted a great deal of attention from the event’s participants was a competition on how to create simple learning tools.

The response of teachers from surrounding areas was positive. A total of 78 teachers from seven sub districts participated in the competition. Ten teachers were then selected to carry out peer teaching by showing how the tools would be used in front of students. Candidates were judged on creativity, mastery of knowledge, and techniques of presentation. As a result of this process, three winners were selected.

“This competition reawakened the teachers’ motivation to develop learning tools that were easy to make from materials easily found in their surroundings,” said Riyadi, Head of Basic Education Division of Batubara District Education Office.

Riyadi also added that teachers would be at the first line of the efforts to improve our education. “So, if we would like to improve our education system, we would need to improve our teachers first. For that, I am appreciative of Tanoto Foundation’s support in improving capacity and competency of teachers in Batubara District.”
The competition’s participants were also happy to take part in this activity. Many of them hoped that similar competitions would be held regularly. “For us, winning was not our goal. Here, we could see how other teachers creatively develop their own teaching and learning kits,” said Mahpizah, teacher of SDN 010156 Sei Muka.

Hendra Gunawan, teacher of SDN 010150 Petatar also responded positively to this competition. “This type of activity strengthened my motivation to keep looking for different ideas to support the teaching and learning process in my class room,” he said.

Early Childhood Education Centers educators during Tanoto Foundation’s training session.

Ibu Siti Aminah stood in front of her class room at Riang Early Education Center in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. She was in the middle of reading storybooks to her students as well as guiding them through different learning activities.

Ibu Siti Aminah, or also known by her students as Ibu Mimin, mentioned that she did not receive any formal training when she became an educator for the young children at the Center. At the beginning, although she did not feel confident, she was guided by her dedication to teach the children.

Ibu Mimin’s confidence gradually improved after she started to take part in Tanoto Foundation’s training sessions. These sessions were held by the Foundation for partner Early Education Centers and to improve Centers educators’ capacity in developing and implementing proper teaching and learning methodologies for children.

The training session that was fondly remembered by Ibu Mimin was the one that was held by Tanoto Foundation together with Komunitas Rumah Pencerah for 38 educators from Tanoto Foundation’s six partner Centers in Jakarta. From these training sessions, she learned to use the knowledge about children’s brain functions to support her teaching methodology. She also learned about class management.

“At the beginning, I was not too keen to attend because the training location at South Jakarta was far from my Center. But I was able to meet fellow educators and learned new skills and knowledge. This training was the most memorable session that I had participated in,” said Ibu Mimin.

Ibu Salimah, an educator from another Tanoto Foundation’s partner center, PAUD Al-Huda from South Jakarta, also expressed similar sentiment. She said that she learned new experience and knowledge from the training.
“In addition to learning how to teach children in effective yet enjoyable ways, we realized that we play an important role in these children’s developmental stage and future. This knowledge inspired us to provide the children with our best support,” she said.