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KOMPAS/ANGGER PUTRANTO

Muhammad Farid

Often being the target of protests because his learning method was considered odd, actually has driven Muhammad Farid, 42, to develop his own school. In a school that accommodates underprivileged children, Farid allows their parents to pay school fees using vegetables or even with prayers.

Since graduating from the Ibrahimy Institute of Islamic Studies, Sukorejo, Situbondo in 2000, Farid has dedicated himself to the world of education as a teacher. Farid always applies the method of active student learning through various games or activities outdoor and indoor.

"I was the subject of protests because the class became crowded. When I moved to another school, I applied the same method again and I was protested against again. Finally, I decided to develop my own school," said Farid.

In 2005, he opened SMP Alam Banyuwangi Islamic junior high school, which provides space for students to freely express and choose locations for studying. Farid wanted the students to design their own learning activity to be fun.

For Farid, school is not only a place to transfer knowledge from teacher to student, but also a place to optimize the students’ talents.

However, after a few months there were no registrants.

Luckily, Farid got permission to use a semi-open cafe building belonging to his relative. Registration was opened. However, after a few months there were no registrants. He remembered his intention to build a school for the poor. "I traveled around Genteng district to look for kids who wanted to go to school. Alhamdulillah [thank God], I got 23 children," he said.

However, after three months, many students quit to help their parents working. Only nine students stayed, and Farid continued to teach them. Now, the number of Farid’s students has increased to 120, from elementary school-aged students to university-aged students. Farid’s school now occupies a permanent building, complete with dormitories. Elementary, high school and university students study formally outside the school complex. While junior high school students study inside the school complex.

Farid wants to produce children as trainers and motivators. He uses learning methods with the concepts of mind mapping, math fun and English fun. "Children are invited to design and choose their own learning process to become something fun," he said.

There, they were asked to teach or share knowledge they received at the school.

Every two months, the students from the nature-based school are asked to return to their original environment. There, they were asked to teach or share knowledge they received at the school.

"The children are asked to present their abilities in front of their parents. Each child performed 30 minutes before the teacher and their parents. The parents understand the development of their children," said Farid.

Until now, the nature-based school has opened opportunities for anyone who wants to join. Since its establishment, the spirit to provide education for the poor is still maintained.

The concern for the poor was apparent in the way Farid collected school fees. To those who could not afford school fees, Farid received payment in the form of vegetables and crops, such as mustard greens, eggplants or carrots.

"Even if they are not able to pay with vegetables, we ask the children to pay with prayers for the sustainability of the school. Prayers and vegetables are the dowry for children to gain knowledge," he said.

Farid deliberately did not provide education free of charge. According to him, with the school payment, even though they only pay with vegetables or prayer, it is a form of sacrifice. By paying with prayer or vegetables, there is an attachment and a sense of belonging so that children not only learn, but also appreciate what their parents have done.

The vegetables paid by the parents are managed by the school management. Thus, payments using vegetables are sufficient to reduce school operational costs.

At present, 50 percent of the students pay tuition fees normally Rp 100,000 to Rp 400,000 per month. While the remaining 50 percent pays the tuition using vegetables and prayers.

In fact, one week later he would have to pay the salaries for 15 teachers and employees.

Farid said once the school was running out of money. The school had only Rp 500,000. In fact, one week later he would have to pay the salaries for 15 teachers and employees.

The father of three children was convinced by the power of prayer. He then took the money and gave it to two groups of orphans. Farid asked them to pray for the school. The students were also asked to pray for the welfare of their teachers.

Just one day before pay day, the school received an award because its concept of education is quite inspiring. From the award, Farid received enough prize money to pay the salaries of the teachers and employees.

Farid\'s dedication to the nature-based school deserves appreciation. A number of awards were won. Farid remembered well, the first award he received was the Satu Indonesia Program Award held by Astra in 2010.

KOMPAS/ANGGER PUTRANTO

Muhammad Farid

Muhammad Farid

Born: Banyuwangi, 19 April 1977

Wife: Khoirul Resa Fitri

Children: 3

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Law from the Ibrahimy Institute of Islamic Studies, Situbondo (2000)

- Master’s degree in Education Management from Ibrahimy University of Situbondo (2018)