Lighting up Indonesia's future (graphically recorded) | Anies Baswedan | TEDxJakarta

Summary

The TEDxJakarta talk highlights the Indonesia Teaches program, which addresses the country's education challenges by sending the brightest young Indonesians to teach in remote areas. The program aims to fill teacher shortages in elementary schools, provide leadership training, and immerse participants in difficult environments. Through this experience, the youth gain valuable insights into Indonesia's grassroots realities while inspiring optimism and hope for the future. The initiative emphasizes that education is a collective responsibility, and anyone can contribute to shaping the future of the nation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia faces numerous educational challenges, but teachers hold the power to advance education.
• 😀 The 'Indonesia Teaches' program addresses the unequal distribution of teachers and their low quality in remote areas.
• 😀 The program aims to send the brightest young people to teach in Indonesia’s most isolated regions, where educational resources are scarce.
• 😀 The program’s goal is two-fold: to fill teacher shortages in elementary schools and to equip young leaders with real-world experiences in challenging environments.
• 😀 Teachers placed in remote areas will gain valuable leadership training through overcoming difficulties in villages without basic utilities like electricity and running water.
• 😀 Selection for the program is highly competitive, with criteria based on academic excellence, leadership, resilience, and organizational experience.
• 😀 Applicants write essays about why they want to teach in challenging areas, showing their commitment despite knowing the hardships they will face.
• 😀 Training for the selected teachers includes leadership skills, teaching techniques, and survival skills in harsh conditions to prepare them for the difficulties they will encounter.
• 😀 The program promotes optimism and the idea that anyone can contribute to education, regardless of their career or location.
• 😀 Teachers involved in the program serve as role models and inspire hope for the future by sharing their experiences and fostering optimism among local communities.
• 😀 'Indonesia Teaches' encourages a shift in perspective, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility in education beyond just schools or government, but by every educated individual.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the 'Indonesia Teaches' program?

The main objective of the 'Indonesia Teaches' program is to improve education in Indonesia by sending the best young people to teach in remote and underserved areas, filling the gaps in teacher distribution, and providing valuable leadership experiences.

Why is there a focus on elementary schools in the 'Indonesia Teaches' program?

The program specifically focuses on elementary schools because 66% of them are understaffed, especially in remote areas, while the number of teachers in junior high and high schools is generally sufficient.

What is the second goal of the 'Indonesia Teaches' program?

The second goal is to provide young Indonesians with the opportunity to live and work in rural and remote areas, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these communities, which will shape their future leadership.

What qualities are required to join the 'Indonesia Teaches' program?

Applicants need to have great academic standing (a GPA of at least 3 out of 4, usually higher), strong leadership skills, organizational experience, good communication abilities, and resilience to handle the challenges of teaching in remote areas.

How did the selection process for participants work?

The program received 1,383 applications from young Indonesians. After reviewing essays and other criteria, a selection process was conducted with the help of a human resource consultant, ultimately choosing 51 participants (slightly over the target of 50).

What kind of training did the selected participants receive?

The participants underwent 7 weeks of training, focusing on leadership and teaching skills, along with survival training. The survival training included a 3-day mountain exercise where they had to rely on minimal resources to overcome challenges.

Why is leadership training emphasized in the program?

Leadership training is crucial because the participants are placed in difficult and remote areas where they will face numerous challenges. They need to develop problem-solving skills and resilience to navigate these obstacles effectively.

What were some of the remote areas where the participants were placed?

The participants were placed in various challenging locations, such as the island of Rupat in Riau, West Tulang Bawang, East Kalimantan, Majene in West Sulawesi, and South Halmahera, requiring extensive travel and living conditions without basic amenities like electricity and phone signals.

How does the program contribute to spreading optimism in remote areas?

The program aims to spread optimism by showing the youth in remote areas that it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve success. The participants themselves serve as role models, demonstrating that hard work and determination can lead to positive change.

What broader message does the 'Indonesia Teaches' program convey about education?

The program conveys that education is not solely the responsibility of schools or the government. It is the responsibility of every educated individual to contribute to the education of others, reinforcing the idea that anyone can be a teacher and help uplift their community.