Murniati, Upholding the Spirit for Learning

Ida Setyorini

· 7 minutes read

When she was assigned to Limbangan village, Sukaraja district, Sukabumi regency, Murniati was very concerned because there were so many dropouts in the village. The dropouts were not only elementary school children, but also junior and senior high school children. Concerned with the situation, Murniati collected data on school dropouts.

She founded the Community Learning Activity Center (PKBM) next to state elementary school SDN 3 Cidadap, where she is teaching. She teaches science and skills. She does not want children and adults left uneducated.

She knew that none of the children intended to discontinue their studies. They were forced to quit school because of financial issues. They could not afford to pay for transportation and were unable to buy uniforms. The nation\'s future generation had to be sacrificed because their parents were not employed or being terminated from their jobs.

“I began the activity in 1998 when the economic crisis hit and affected various sectors, if not all sectors. I was sad to see school-aged children just play around the side of the road. Their education is limited and if they get jobs they will work in informal jobs and will be the lowest in the employment ladder because they don\'t have enough education,” Murniati said in Limbangan village, Sukaraja district, Sukabumi regency, West Java, Tuesday (Feb. 12, 2019).

She talked to the children and invited them back to school to study again. Although at first they were afraid to learn because they did not

have money, Murniati boosted their spirits by saying they did not need to pay school fees, or for books or uniforms. The children were so happy to be able to study and attend school again.

In addition to those who often play around the roadside, Murniati also traced and identified other dropouts with information from family cards and identity cards. She also invited them to study. At that time, she also identified adults from 40 to 55 years-old who were illiterate, could not recite the Quran and could not sign documents.

Murniati invited fellow teachers in her school to get involved. Her good intentions were welcomed by her colleagues. They were even willing to teach without being paid for it. Murniati also received help from her husband and three children plus her daughter-in-law.

After gathering hundreds of prospective students, Murniati divided the students into several classes. There are classes for Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 every afternoon. Meanwhile, the class for adults is held twice a week. She also divided them into groups of 10 people each.

“Elementary school students used to attend school only until midday so after that the class was empty. We used the classroom for the school dropouts. They are without uniforms and barefoot. They can wear whatever clothes they like. The important thing is that they all want to go to school," she said.

Simple method

Mothers and fathers in the village were also enthusiastic about learning. Especially for them, Murniati chose a simple teaching method so that they enjoyed learning. The learning process for mothers involved reading several cooking recipes instead of learning by spelling like school students. Meanwhile, fathers learned how to read by pronouncing varieties of building materials and agriculture.

Murniati intentionally adopted the teaching method by using material that was familiar to their daily lives to make it easier for them to

recognize letters, read and memorize. The method succeeded in making them enthusiastic about learning and happy in class. They also motivated and helped each other not to be left behind. To read the Quran, Murniati simply used the Iqro method commonly used by children.

“I teach bolu kukus [steamed sponge cake] recipes that is easy and inexpensive. It requires not many ingredients and it is easy to remember. The fathers also easily remember how to write and read building materials because they are so familiar," he said.

As a result, after being good at reading the recipes, the mothers wanted to practice cooking. Murniati happily endorsed their request. In fact, she also provided all the ingredients from her own pocket. She never asked for a fee. The mothers read and cooked together. Later, they shared the cake even though each one got only a slice. They were happy and proud to bring home their own cake for their family to taste.

After one group made a cake, the other group did not want to miss out. They also wanted to try other recipes, such as bugis cakes from sticky rice and combro [fried fritters] with a variety of fillings. Murniati bought ingredients and let them cook.

After three years of study, the children who attended the afternoon class also took the exams. There were 50 children who took the exam.

Local officials came to see first hand about the activity of Murniati and her fellow teachers. "Children are worried because they did the exams without neat makeup, without uniforms as is usually the case with regular students. Also, they were being watched and filmed. I calmed them down by saying, just do the exam and don\'t think any others. No need to change clothes after returning from rice fields, gardens, fields or markets after helping their parents. Just wash your hands and wash your face," Murniati said softly.

How happy Murniati was when all the children passed the exam.

Without hesitation, she invited them to go to school again to join the Package B program, which was the equivalent to junior high school. She did not want the children to just graduate from elementary school. Of course the children were extraordinarily enthusiastic about welcoming the teacher\'s wishes.

The mothers and fathers who were finally able to read were also asked to take Package A program. They were encouraged to continue learning and get a certificate even though they do not plan to apply for a job. They would become an example for their children and grandchildren not to feel tired in seeking knowledge and continue to study even though they get older.

News about Murniati\'s persistence and enthusiasm reached the surrounding villages and neighboring districts. Adults who originally could not read did not hesitate to study. They finally realize that learning is a fun process. School dropouts from villages, districts and even neighboring regencies are looking for Murniati and their enthusiasm for learning is lit.

For those who have finished school and want to make money through sewing or dressing, Murniati provides a complete sewing or cosmetic tool that she buys using her own money. But students were asked to return the money later if they had succeeded. She wants them to pay back not in cash but in the form of the sewing machine or cosmetic package because they will be used by their classmates later.

"In essence, I want children to learn again, have hope again, have dreams again. Indonesian children including in Sukabumi must be smart and happy to learn. I am happy, the villages and districts free from illiteracy. All targets for completing compulsory schooling are also achieved and now I want the 12-year compulsory education to be achieved," said Murniati, who will retire next year.

After years of teaching the dropouts, Murniati is often visited by sponsors and institutions who want to channel funds amounting to tens

of millions of rupiah. However, Murniati was reluctant to manage the funds. She requested the donors to provide assistance in physical form that was useful for children. They need a room for practice, especially now that the participants continue to increase.

"I cannot take the money. It’s a mandate. It brings risks and responsibilities. It would be better if the donors provide buildings or laptops for children," she said.

Murniati

Born: Sukabumi, Sept. 3, 1960

Husband: Acep Suhandi

Children: Dini Handiani, Adisti, Aditya.

Education:

- Undergraduate STIMA IMI Jakarta

- Graduate STKIP PGRI Sukabumi

Editor:

kompascetak