Memulung Demi Membeli Kuota Internet (2) |BERKAS KOMPAS

Summary

The script tells the story of Cynthia, a fifth-grade student in Indonesia, who despite the pandemic's challenges, remains determined to continue her education. She balances online schooling with collecting recyclables to support her family's income and pay for internet access. The narrative highlights the struggles of students like Cynthia, who must work during the pandemic to afford necessities like internet data, and the government's efforts to provide free data to students. It also touches on the potential for students to drop out of school due to economic pressures and the importance of community awareness in preventing this.

Takeaways

• 📚 Despite the pandemic, Cynthia, a 5th-grade student, remains determined to continue her education.
• 👩‍🎓 While other children study and play after school, Cynthia works as a scavenger to support her education and family.
• 💪 Cynthia has been scavenging since 3rd grade to pay for school supplies and help her family's income.
• 📱 The pandemic increased the financial burden on Cynthia, especially with the need for internet data for online learning.
• 💻 Although the government provided free internet data for students, Cynthia only received one round of aid.
• 💼 Cynthia works up to nine hours a day, sifting through garbage at a landfill to earn between 20 and 30 rupiahs per day.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Cynthia's family fears she might drop out of school like her older brother, who also became a scavenger.
• 🌍 UNICEF data shows that 3 out of 4 children are at risk of dropping out of school during the pandemic, partly due to the need to work.
• 📉 Government support for internet data has decreased, and many students did not receive aid due to logistical challenges like poor signal or lack of devices.
• 🏫 The country is considering reopening schools for in-person learning, but safety and effectiveness remain concerns as COVID-19 is still a threat.

Q & A

Who is Cynthia and what challenge does she face during the pandemic?

Cynthia is a fifth-grade student who, during the pandemic, not only has to manage distance learning but also works as a scavenger to support her family's income and cover school expenses.

What motivates Cynthia to continue her education despite her difficult circumstances?

Cynthia is motivated to continue her education because she aspires to achieve her dreams, make her family proud, and avoid dropping out of school like her older brother.

How does Cynthia's family situation affect her education?

Cynthia's family faces financial struggles, which forces her to work as a scavenger to contribute to the family's income. Her parents are concerned she may drop out of school like her older brother.

What kind of work does Cynthia do to support her family, and how long has she been doing it?

Cynthia has been scavenging for recyclables since she was in third grade. She works up to nine hours a day to earn money for school supplies and to help provide for her family.

What specific difficulties did Cynthia face during the pandemic with her distance learning?

During the pandemic, Cynthia had to spend extra money on internet data for online classes, but she only received free internet assistance once. This added financial burden made it harder for her to keep up with schoolwork.

How much money does Cynthia earn from scavenging, and how does it impact her family's daily needs?

Cynthia earns between 20,000 to 30,000 rupiah per day from scavenging. This income helps her family buy basic necessities, like rice, though it is still a difficult task to make ends meet.

What concerns does Cynthia’s family have about her education?

Cynthia’s parents are worried that she might drop out of school, as her older brother did when financial pressures forced him to leave school and start working as a scavenger.

What is Cynthia's dream for the future?

Cynthia dreams of continuing her education at a pesantren (Islamic boarding school), where she hopes to learn more about her faith and become proficient in religious studies. She also wants to make her parents proud.

What has been the impact of the government's free internet data assistance during the pandemic?

The government provided free internet data for students during the pandemic, but many, like Cynthia, received it only once. This inconsistency and limited access to devices made it difficult for some students to benefit from the program.

What is the broader concern raised by UNICEF regarding children's education during the pandemic?

UNICEF, in collaboration with Bappenas, highlighted that three out of four children were at risk of dropping out of school during the pandemic, largely due to the need to work and support their families, a situation worsened by the economic impact of COVID-19.