By: Yanuardi Syukur*
The Sabua Foundation, a private organization led by North Maluku youth, organized a discussion titled “Challenges in Education in Eastern Indonesia During the Covid-19 Pandemic: What Are the Implications?”. Held via Zoom, the event featured speakers including Dr. M. Ridha Adjam (Academician at Universitas Khairun), Ismail Dukomalamo (Head of Education Office of Tidore Kepulauan), Muhammad Guntur Cobobi (Director of Sabua Foundation), and myself. The discussion was moderated by Elya Ayunda, a native of North Maluku currently based in Hamburg, Germany.
Participants came from various regions, including Sorong, Ternate, Tidore, Manado, Gorontalo, Makassar, Padang, and Jakarta. This online format represents a new trend that bridges geographical distances.
The Endless Conversation About Education
The topic of education has always been a central concern. Since its independence, Indonesia has consistently strived to improve its education system. In the early years, illiteracy was widespread. However, through efforts initiated by President Soekarno, the literacy rate has significantly improved, with illiteracy rates dropping to around 2.9% last year. While this indicates progress, many regions, particularly in Eastern Indonesia, still struggle with educational disparities.
Education Challenges in Eastern Indonesia
The discussion highlighted several challenges:
- Bureaucratic Inertia: The education bureaucracy often operates on a “business as usual” model, with little innovation. For example, Dr. Ridha Adjam shared that when he initiated a “Learning House” program to train teachers in technology, it received minimal attention from local officials.
- Cultural Attitudes Toward Education: Although government affirmative scholarship programs have enabled more students from Eastern Indonesia to study at top universities, the numbers remain small. Many still prioritize traditional livelihoods over higher education due to economic and cultural factors.
- Infrastructure and Maintenance: While infrastructure projects have been initiated, poor maintenance often renders facilities unusable. This reflects inefficiencies in planning and execution.
- Technology Access and Utilization: The increasing use of mobile phones is promising, but most users focus on entertainment rather than educational purposes. Poor internet access in remote areas further exacerbates the digital divide.
The Importance of Central-Regional Synergy
A recurring issue in Indonesian governance is the lack of synergy between central and regional authorities. Inconsistent data and sectoral egos hinder collaborative efforts, especially in critical areas like education.
Reforming bureaucracy to become more service-oriented and innovative is crucial. Leaders must set an example by promoting a vision of efficient and impactful governance.
Conclusion
Education remains a vital task that requires constant innovation, regardless of the circumstances. The Sabua Foundation’s discussion offered valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by Eastern Indonesia, an often-overlooked region in national discourse. Despite the limitations, the conversation underscored the need for collaborative and transformative approaches to improve education in this diverse and dynamic part of Indonesia.
Depok, April 7, 2020
Lecturer in Anthropology at Universitas Khairun and Doctoral Candidate in Anthropology at FISIP UI.