Rela Menyeberangi Sungai Demi Bisa Belajar

Summary

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers from SD 6 Tapak in Bone, Gorontalo, have been going above and beyond to educate students without the necessary communication tools, such as smartphones or reliable internet access. Despite the obstacles, including strong river currents and lack of a connecting bridge, they continue to visit students' homes in groups to ensure they receive education. Parents and students are deeply grateful for these efforts, highlighting the teachers' resilience and dedication. The community hopes for a bridge to improve access, ensuring that children can get their right to education without further barriers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers at SD 6 Tapak, Bone, Balong Regency, Gorontalo, face significant challenges in reaching students due to lack of communication tools like smartphones.
• 😀 The absence of a bridge to connect the school with the students' homes forces teachers to visit students' homes in groups.
• 😀 Teachers are willing to risk crossing strong river currents, despite concerns of being swept away, to fulfill their teaching duties.
• 😀 Students' parents face difficulties due to lack of cellphone access, particularly struggling to buy mobile data or credit.
• 😀 Teachers schedule visits to students' homes, typically arriving between 8 AM and 11 AM, to conduct lessons during the pandemic.
• 😀 The teachers divide the students into groups based on proximity to their homes for easier home visits.
• 😀 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesian schools have implemented study-from-home policies, further emphasizing the need for teacher home visits.
• 😀 Residents in Langgeng Village, Tapa District, had built a makeshift bridge using coconut tree trunks, which was frequently washed away by floods.
• 😀 The lack of a permanent bridge has caused parents to prevent their children from attending school, further isolating the community.
• 😀 Both teachers and parents hope for the construction of a permanent bridge to ensure students can safely attend school and receive an education.
• 😀 Despite these hardships, students express happiness when their teachers visit to continue their education, demonstrating resilience and community spirit.

Q & A

What challenge do the teachers at SD 6 Tapak face when trying to reach their students?

Teachers at SD 6 Tapak face the challenge of not having communication tools like smartphones, which forces them to visit students' homes in groups. Additionally, the absence of a bridge to connect the school to the students' homes means teachers must navigate strong river currents, risking their safety to fulfill their teaching duties.

Why do some students' parents struggle with communication tools like smartphones and credit?

Some students' parents lack proper communication tools such as smartphones, and even if they own an Android phone, they face difficulties with purchasing data credit due to financial constraints.

How does the absence of a bridge affect the teachers' ability to reach students?

The absence of a bridge forces teachers to cross a river, which becomes dangerous due to strong water currents. In some instances, makeshift bridges made from coconut tree trunks are used but are often washed away during floods, creating a constant obstacle for both teachers and students.

How often do the teachers visit students' homes during the pandemic?

Teachers visit the students' homes twice a week to continue education, as schools have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rules for studying from home.

What is the general sentiment of the students and parents towards the teachers' visits?

Students and their parents are very happy and grateful for the teachers' visits. Despite the challenges, parents appreciate that teachers are still fulfilling their roles and helping their children continue their education at home.

What was the initial response to the lack of a bridge between the school and the students' homes?

Initially, residents tried to build a makeshift bridge using coconut tree trunks, but this was ineffective because it was frequently washed away during floods, leaving students unable to safely reach school.

How deep is the river that teachers have to cross, and what is the general experience of crossing it?

The river is not very deep, but it can be dangerous due to strong currents. People who live across the river are accustomed to crossing it, but it remains a significant challenge for teachers and students, especially when floods occur.

Why do the teachers visit students in groups instead of individually?

The teachers visit students in groups because they do not have proper communication tools, like smartphones, to contact each student individually. Group visits are more practical in this scenario.

What are the teachers hoping for from the local government or village authorities?

The teachers, parents, and students hope that the local village government will build a connecting bridge to make it easier for students to attend school and receive an education without the risk of crossing the dangerous river.

How does the local community feel about the teacher's efforts despite the hardships?

The local community, including both parents and students, expresses deep gratitude and appreciation for the teachers' efforts. They are happy that the teachers are going out of their way to continue educating their children despite the obstacles they face.