Education Needs

CONTEXT

This initial survey was conducted by a group of MBA students from the Carlson School of Business with approximately 40 local leaders who gathered at Pulau Terong on 04 Jan 2004.  This is a portion of their findings which highlights many of the felt needs in the community.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand and prioritize the education needs of the Riau Melayu people in order to develop and implement a sustainable CD program.

FINDINGS

Statistics

• Cost = 4,000 rupiah per month per child to attend school.
• Travel to school on other island = 1,000 rupiah.
• Basic student cost = 40,000 rupiah per month per child for transportation and education.
• Rp.100,000 per month per high school student = covers everything.
• The schools are government schools and are subsidized Rp.400,000 per month for operations only (not enough).
• Morning studies include:  English, math, biology, physics, Indonesian history, moral studies (ethics), art, and P.E.  Evening studies are extracurricular and are religious studies at the Mosque, or other religion.
• Teachers are trained everywhere and appointed through a private foundation by the government.
• Students are ranked and then apply to high school.
• Over a 3 year period, 1 in 70 went on to college (.01%).
• Students cannot attend college due to the large expense, not due to inability to be accepted (this is not proven).
• Last year the high school joined the aptitude testing and ranked 3^rd in the Batam area.

Felt needs

Supplies

• Books – only teachers have books. 1 in 5 students have books.
• Teaching aids: pictures, samples, teaching modules, instruction tools, etc...
• Facilities.
• Computers – there is no exposure to technology.
• Electricity during school hours (have from 5/6pm – 7am, less in some cases).
• Libraries.
• Laboratories.

Funding

• Students attend school sporadically due to inability to pay.
  • May attend one month and then skip one (income is not consistent).
  • Often attend through middle school and are unable to continue.
  • Students are unable to attend college not because of ability, but due to financing.
• Scholarships for children to attend.
• Transportation is expensive and schools are too far away to walk.

Instruction

• Salary to teachers is very low.

• Teachers are concerned with their own survival, rather than being able to focus on education.
• Receive wage in Batam or Karimun and must pay cost of transportation.
• 1 teacher for 30-40 students.
• There are no English teachers – very high need.

Priorities:

1. Books
2. Teaching Aids/Computers
3. Teachers
4. English