Jakarta, March 1st 2023- A number of studies show that the quality of a teacher is very important to shape the character and well-being of children. Qualified teachers tend to have a long-term effect on a child’s life, starting from social, economic aspects, to later professional life. Based on data from UNESCO in the 2016 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report, education in Indonesia is ranked 10th out of 14 developing countries, while in terms of teacher quality, Indonesia is ranked 14th out of 14 developing countries. Minister for Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform Abdullah Azwar Anas stated that the number of teachers is currently at 3.31 million, but the distribution of teachers is still uneven and tends to be centered on the island of Java. The factors that contributed to the above mentioned statistics are due to the lack of equal access to education , limited educational facilities, unaffordable cost of education, and no less important is the issue of teacher welfare.
Welfare conditions have always been the scourge of these education heroes at the forefront, especially for teachers in the 3T (Frontier, Outermost, and Disadvantaged) regions. Based on Number 63 of the 2020 Presidential Regulation, there are 62 of 3T areas spread throughout the country, where these areas are still dwelled with various issues such as a shortage of qualified teachers, having high dropout rates, low levels of welfare for honorary teachers, and a lack of accessibility to difficult school locations that it often adds to the operational burden of transportation. The struggle of these educational heroes deserves appreciation, support, and it is necessary to partner with more parties to make a positive contribution.
The HERO4EDU social movement program initiated in November 2022 by YCAB Foundation with the support of United Creative and in collaboration with Benih Baik has officially concluded with positive responses from the community. This program stemmed from a recognition of the significance of Indonesian educational growth, where the welfare and the quality of teachers play a crucial role in increasing educational standards. With support from donors, the HERO4EDU program managed to raise more than IDR 6 billion which will be used to appreciate and help empower 2,000 teachers in 3T areas throughout Indonesia. YCAB Foundation will utilize the collected funds to commence the implementation phase which will gradually be carried out in 10 Indonesian regions from the period of February 2023 until April 2023. Teachers will receive financial incentives as well as training that focuses on developing creativity and honing critical thinking skills. The teachers will receive appreciation and training funds which are expected to hone critical thinking skills, thereby increasing the capacity of teachers in providing assistance and coaching to students. YCAB Foundation is also collaborating with Benih Baik in verifying teacher data, particularly teachers who meet the requirements to receive assistance.
“Teachers are the backbone of education, therefore empowering and increasing their welfare is imperative in the sustainable growth of education in Indonesia. We sincerely thank all parties and individuals who have supported and contributed to the HERO4EDU program. With your help, the future of the nation’s children will shine brighter, thanks to a better quality of education,” said Veronica Colondam, Founder and CEO of YCAB Foundation.
YCAB Foundation together with United Creative and Benih Baik believe in the importance of creating a better Indonesian education climate for a better young generation. For further updates regarding this program, keep an eye out on YCAB Foundation social media accounts at @ycabfoundation.