Three-Sector Collaboration in Computer Education for Education Quality Improvement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tapanuli Tengah, 3 March 2011 – Regent of Tapanuli Tengah Drs. Tuani Lumbantobing M.Si. officially inaugurated the House of Learning (Rumah Belajar) by Multistrada which provides computer courses for the youth of the region. The Rumah Belajar – which is also supported by Microsoft – is the ninth YCAB’s Rumah Belajar in Indonesia, as a result of a three-sector collaboration between the government, private sector, and NGOs to improve the quality of education in Tapanuli Tengah.
Rumah Belajar YCAB Foundation which has been developed since 2003 has been educates 8,716 students in several locations in Indonesia, i.e. Duta Buntu, Cikarang, Tegal Alur, Plumpang, Kampung Permata, Seasons City West Java, and Padang. Currently, YCAB Foundation is working together with PT Multistrada Arah Sarana Tbk (MASA), Microsoft, and the local government of Tapanuli Tengah to provide affordable and qualified computer courses.
“The program will be very useful for our community. This is a chance for the local government of Tapanuli Tengah to do something significant to improve the education quality,” said Head of Education Office of Tapanuli Tengah Marhite Rumapea. He added that the Rumah Belajar will set an example of a three-sector collaboration in achieving equality in education in all areas in Indonesia.
Rumah Belajar Multistrada is located in Komplek Ruko Hock Lie No 5B Sarudik Tapanuli Tengah and provides 21 units of computer which are available to 200 students per semester (4 months). Within a year, the Rumah Belajar is expected to educates up to 600 students. The Rumah Belajar provides computer courses on Microsoft Office (i.e. MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and others) divided into three levels, i.e. Pre Basic, Basic and Intermediate. The computer course program is also certified by Binus University.
“This program is a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to achieve the equality of education in Indonesia. As the producer of world quality tires, it is our responsibility to ensure that Indonesians receive proper education – enabling them to compete in the job market,” said the President Director of PT Multistrada Arah Sarana Pieter Tanuri.
Previously, YCAB Foundation has also worked with Microsoft to provide computer courses in Seasons City West Jakarta. “Our partnership with YCAB Foundation through Rumah Belajar Microsoft is a part of our commitments to support the Indonesian people, especially the young generation to develop their potential in the area of information and technology,” said the President Director of PT. Microsoft Indonesia Sutanto Hartono.
“Rumah Belajar is one of the Community Technology Centers (CTC) of Microsoft Indonesia, a part of the Microsoft Citizenship program in partnership with non-profit organizations. The CTCs have been established in 20 provinces throughout Indonesia; they provide information and technology (IT) trainings for underprivileged and children dropouts,” he added.
Program Director of Rumah Belajar Firza Imam Putra said that Rumah Belajar will targets to children dropouts and those from underprivileged families. The students will only have to pay Rp 5,000 per month. He added that the Rumah Belajar will not only provide informal education equivalent to elementary up to senior high school levels (Kejar Paket A, B, C), but also job placements as well as seed capital for entrepreneurs. However, for the initial phase, the Rumah Belajar in Tapanuli Tengah will only provide computer courses.
“There were 4-12 drop out school kids per minute in Indonesia; and the high percentage of children dropouts is mostly caused by financial reasons. This condition has encouraged us to develop Rumah Belajar in 2003. The Rumah Belajar aims to give them opportunities to get qualified education” she said.
YCAB Foundation has focus in youth development through three areas of concentration: healthy lifestyle promotion, education provision, and economic empowerment. “To sum it up, YCAB Foundation aims to become the driving force for youth independence, through education and entrepreneurship developments; while at the same time we will also continuously promote a healthy lifestyle. Rumah Belajar as one of our pillars aims to give qualified, relevant, and inclusive education for dropouts and undeprivileged children in Indonesia,” Veronica said in conclusion.
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About PT Multistrada Arah Sarana Tbk.
PT Multistrada Arah Sarana Tbk. (MASA) is a producer of tires i.e. Achilles, Corsa, Strada, and Corsa. MASA has the vision to be a world-class tire producer and is committed to give the best services and high quality products to the consumers. MASA also commits itself to the principles of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) by upholding high ethical standards and continuously maintaining safety in the workplace.
For further information, please visit www.multistrada.co.id
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation was founded in 1975 (NASDAQ: “MSFT”); leader in software development and Internet services and technology, both for personal and corporate users. Microsoft provides a wide range of products and services which are designed to empowering people through reliable software – anytime, anywhere, and with any technology devices.
About Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa
Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa is an independent non-profit organization in Indonesia that was established in August 1999 and became a global organization in 2011 through YCAB Foundation. YCAB Foundation is headquartered in New York and is registered as a non-profit organizations that already have the facility of tax reductions (tax deductions) through section 501 (c) (3).
YCAB Foundation aims to establish independence in adolescents with a comprehensive development approach through the Healthy Lifestyle Promotion (HELP), House of Learning and Development (HOLD), and Hands-on Operation for Entrepreneurship (HOPE).
For more information, please visit www.ycabfoundation.org
Linda Chalid
Development and Communications Division
YCAB Foundation
Tel: +62 21 5835 5000
Fax: +62 21 5835 5001