Progress in Krucil, Probolinggo

The sub-district of Krucil, Probolinggo is a target MBE area. It is located on a mountainside a long way from Probolinggo town and is very rural. When we visited Betek 1 Primary School the teachers informed us that prior to the MBE program many students were absent due to the need for them to help their parents. Now parents' awareness and support for their children's education has increased and attendance has improved.

Now requests for admission of children to the early years' classes is much higher than the upper classes. Implementation of PAKEM (Active, Creative, Joyful and Effective, Learning) in Betek 1 was very noticeable as students were organized in groups and there were class displays. The student activities were also based on PAKEM principles, as they were using learning-aids, the environment outside the class, and writing in their own words.

Students in grade 5 had gathered demographic data about the Betek community, made graphs and analyzed the data. A graph drawn by one of the students, Sulastri is shown at (No. 2). (No. 1) Ibu Like, their teacher and an MBE district facilitator is helping students with their lessons.

In grade 2 (a) students were using stones to help them learn to add up, while in grade 4 (b) students were testing one of their five senses outside classroom (sense of smell). In class 1 (c) many learning aids are displayed in their classroom.

Support by the Head of the Sub-District Education Office

Pak Ngadirin, Head of the Sub-District Education Office in Krucil prefers to visit his schools on Saturdays instead of taking the day off.

He is also very supportive of school principals in making School Development Plans (RPS). He organized four meetings to help them until all the school plans were completed (photo above).

Bremi 1 Primary School Using Their Environment.

When we visited SD Bremi 1, Krucil, students of grade 4 together with their teacher Ibu Inu Honifah were on an outing to a butterfly and insect farm which is located in Bremi village. They learnt directly about the life cycle of the butterfly. This was real PAKEM, and is far more meaningful for students. Students who participate in such experiences will understand more easily and never forget. Below you can see some of the students and their teacher observing the 4 steps of the butterfly life cycle, as follows: (1) egg (2) caterpillar (3) cocoon (4) butterfly.

We Want the Supervisor to Visit Us!

We heard an interesting story in Probolinggo. Before the SBM program started most teachers were frightened of being visited by the school supervisor. Now attitudes have changed completely. Teachers are forever asking to be visited so that their work can be seen and valued, so much so that supervisors now have a full program!