Indonesia
A student of Study Programme of English Language Education, Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Putri Rahayu, participated in Freedom to Learn – Independent Campus (MBKM) Programme to get teaching experience. Putri carried out this activity at SDIT ISLAMY Klaten, Central Java from March 29, 2021, to June 25, 2021.
“I participated in MBKM Programme because I wanted to get teaching experience and this programme was coincidentally also in line with my major, English Language Education which would lead to teaching practice,” said Putri.
She added that her confidence in joining the programme was increasing because MBKM is an official programme that is part of the policy of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbud Ristek) of the Republic of Indonesia.
Her main reason for choosing SDIT ISLAMY Klaten as her teaching destination was because of distance considerations.
“Considering that PSBB (large-scale social distancing restrictions) and restrictions on mobilization was implemented, choosing a school that is close to where we live was highly recommended,” she added.
At first, Putri did not think that she would be accepted into the programme because she felt that the programme was the flagship programme of the government which had many applicants.
“I was pessimistic about not being accepted. However, it turned out that I was chosen to be one of the 15,000 participants of KM 1,” Putri stated.
Putri explained that in addition to other students (the members of Putri’s group), the local District Education Officer, the Regional Coordinator, Field Supervisors, and the school (Chairman of the Foundation, Principal, Teachers, and Staffs) managers were also involved in the event.
During their period of service, Putri and her group taught and helped the technology adaptation for the teachers and students of SDIT ISLAMY Klaten because the school is a 3T (underdeveloped, frontier, outermost) school.
“We helped to create ICT-based learning media such as Interactive PPT and learning videos,” she added.
Putri and her group also helped the school with administrative activities, such as inputting the student NISN on the Kemendikbudristek website and checking the student exam results. In addition, they also created and implemented useful and fun work programmes for the students, such as outbound, Ramadan Lively Contest, decorating classes, and so on.
“Initially I thought that teaching children would be arduous because I was not used to it before. However, their innocence and laugh are what I miss to this day,” Putri explained
“All parties involved in the KM 1 programme were remarkable and provided us positive energy. If possible, I want to join the KM programme again, but unfortunately, we cannot join it twice,” she concluded. [BRN/DTS/MSH/PR FCS]