Written by Rachmad Alimudin, Tanoto Foundation Jambi

More schools around Kebon Tebo, Jambi are requesting Tanoto Foundation’s support to improve the quality of education there. For schools that are already in partnership with Tanoto Foundation, their   enthusiasm is apparent in how they have implemented Tanoto Foundation programs. At the same time, other schools have actively proposed to adopt all of Tanoto Foundation programs and are having  informal competition among themselves to become a model school.

Serai Serumpun in Tebo District, Jambi is one of the areas that eagerly takes part in Tanoto Foundation activities. Since 2013, Tanoto Foundation has been carrying out different initiatives to improve the quality of education for schools there. SDN 206 Bukit Pamuatan and SDN 201 Napal Putih are the ones that have been implementing activities to improve the quality of their teachers.

In 2014, Tanoto Foundation selected two schools to be models for other schools. This is to ensure that the quality as well as quantity of activities continue to be high. On the other hand, this decision has triggered other schools to adopt Tanoto Foundation school improvement program.

In order to be a model school, these learning institutions in Serai Serumpun requested to take part in different Tanoto Foundation programs such as Training of Trainer (TOT) and Roll Out activities.

As a result, the number of schools that took part in activities to encourage students’ healthy habits and environment- friendly behavior has increased from three to five. Similarly, for efforts to encourage schools to have their own library, all schools have asked to be involved.

Their enthusiasm has been proven by actions. Idawati, the 5th grade SDN 204 Napal Putih teacher, proudly showed the school’s classrooms. They are decorated with artsy piece of work, recycled goods, and flowers pots. The atmosphere of the classroom is cool and fresh. “This is the result of training and program implementation from Tanoto Foundation,” Idawati said proudly.

Nowadays, becoming smart is not enough for students. They must also become problem solvers.
Being a teacher also poses a separate challenge. Technology advancement and the changing of times force teachers to assist students to become individuals who are not only smart in memorizing and obtaining high grades. In the learning process, students must also be shaped into problem solvers.

That is the core of the discovery learning strategy the teachers received in the Pelita Guru Mandiri (PGM) training held by the Tanoto Foundation in Kuantan Singingi District. After several sessions of PGM training, the teachers realized the importance of active participation by the students and that the teachers should also be aware of the ability of each student.

The teaching learning activity also requires an environment that can facilitate the participants’ curiosity. The critical attitude and curiosity of the students should be nurtured so that they continue to develop. This kind of environment is named discovery learning environment in which the students can explore and discover new knowledge and skills properly and sustainably.

For the teachers to be able to apply the discovery learning strategy, there are several stages of the training that the participants have to undergo. In the PGM program, first the training is conducted by local facilitators. After that, the local facilitators give facilitation and training materials to participating teachers at school cluster level. The intention is of course so that the teachers can implement the active, innovative, creative, effective, and joyful learning activity in their respective classes.

SDN 025 Talontam in Riau Province has started the implementation of the discovery learning strategy. The results have started to show in the rising activeness and creativity of the students. The teachers also become more creative in utilizing the simple teaching aids, which materials can be found in the surrounding environment.

Through Pelita Pendidikan, Tanoto Foundation supports the efforts to improve quality of education in rural areas, particularly in North Sumatra, Jambi and Riau. One of its activities, Pelita Guru Mandiri, focuses on building teachers capacity so they can carry out teaching and learning process that is active, creative, innovative, and enjoyable for students. Pelita Pendidikan also includes provision of scholarships for teachers to complete their Undergraduate Degree.

Childhood is the best time for laying the foundation for creativity. To help honing the creativity of the children of employees in Medan, the Tanoto Foundation held the 2014 Tanoto Foundation Art Competition recently. Joy clearly radiated from the faces of 80 children who participated in this activity. The Event Committee was also happy because the number of participants soared to almost 100%. During the same event last year, the participants were 46 people.

This arena for creativity that has been held since 2012 promotes different themes such as quality and productivity. These themes are expected to give the children an illustration and understanding of their parents’ business world. As soon as the competition started at 9.30, the children immediately drew enthusiastically. Based on the participants’ enthusiasm, the objective of honing the creativity while at the same time giving a happy time to the children seemed to have been achieved. At 12.00, the Committee made a decision on the winners of the competition although at first it was not easy to choose the best participants. This was because the quality of the participants was equally good.

After a discussion, the Committee finally decided on the competition winners for two age groups. For 5-8 age group, the first, second, and third winners were Gracellia with the title ‘Quality of Palm Oil’, Charles with the title of ‘Uniland Building’, and Adivanti Kamal Abgary with the title ‘Palm Oil Truck’. Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd runner-up titles were awarded to Nabila with the title of ‘Palm Oil Plantation’ and Farah Zharina with the title of ‘Palm Oil Factory’.

The 1st up to 3rd winners of the 9-12 age group were awarded to Hubert Federico the title ‘Continuous Improvement’, Carrisa Felicia with the title ‘Quality Productivity Cost’, and Winola Princesa with the title ‘Activities in AA Plantation’. Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd runner-up titles were reached by M. Sultan Nazwan with the title ‘Palm Oil Transportation’ and Monaria Septiani with the title ‘Uniland Building,’ respectively.

Those who have not participated in the competition this year should not worry because the Tanoto Foundation Art Competition will be held again next year. See you in 2015!