Korean neighbors bring smiles to Indonesian classrooms closed due to coronavirus[콜렉티브 임팩트 ②]

2024-07-22 18:21:13

‘Collective Impact’ has emerged as a way to solve social problems in various fields such as environment, education, and health. It is an activity in which various sectors such as government, companies, and citizens join forces to set common tasks and practice them to solve social problems. Good Neighbors, a global children’s rights NGO, collaborates with various companies to carry out global social contribution. We introduce their efforts to create a positive ‘impact’ on society.

A child taking a class in an e-learning classroom. Courtesy of Good Neighbors

A crisis has struck the children of Balikpapan, Indonesia, who were growing their dreams at school. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture officially announced that school education would be non-face-to-face. Most educational facilities have switched to remote education. While large cities such as the capital Jakarta were doing well because they had smooth central government support and had well-equipped educational infrastructure, the Balikpapan region was hit hard. The children did not have devices to watch online lectures such as laptops. Some students could not participate in online classes because of the burden of internet usage costs. Schools also did not have facilities to conduct e-learning.

Good Neighbors, a global children’s rights NGO, supported the e-learning education infrastructure in Balikpapan through the ‘Collective Impact’ method of cooperation with private companies and local governments. Good Neighbors, in partnership with Hyundai Engineering, collaborated with the goal of ‘strengthening quality elementary education and access to education through e-learning’ in the Balikpapan area from May 2021 to April of this year. Hyundai Engineering operates the ‘New Hope School’, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project that builds education infrastructure for children and students in countries with which it has developed a connection through overseas local projects. As part of the ‘New Hope School’ project, the ‘Hello, E-Dream Project’ was also carried out in Balikpapan.

Strengthening Accessibility to E-Learning in Public Education

A child taking online classes using tablet PCs in an e-learning classroom. Courtesy of Good Neighbors

Good Neighbors built one e-learning classroom in each of the five schools. Each classroom was provided with 25 tablet PCs for students, five laptops for teachers, smart TVs, and ICT educational equipment such as sound systems. Teachers were provided with e-learning capacity building training. Teachers received training on using computer software for e-learning classes and creating educational content. A survey of 45 teachers who received training showed that 94.3% responded that they were ‘very satisfied.’

E-learning capacity building training for teachers. Provided by Good Neighbors

The Balikpapan region also lacked e-learning education content. Good Neighbors developed the e-learning education application ‘Bekawan’ with the local education office. Hyundai Engineering was in charge of the final review of the app. Good Neighbors collaborated with the local education office teachers’ committee to reflect the revised 2022 Indonesian curriculum in the app. A total of 100 e-learning contents were produced in two subjects, language (Indonesian) and mathematics, under the leadership of two to three teachers.

The initial screen of the online education content ‘Bekawan’ application. Provided by Good Neighbors

The local education office recognized classes conducted in e-learning classrooms, including those using ‘Bekawan’, as regular education. Students’ learning ability improved by more than 50.5% compared to before.

Strengthening community e-learning capacity

Community e-Learning Center (CLC). Courtesy of Good Neighbors

Three Community e-Learning Centers (CLCs) were also newly established in Balikpapan. CLCs serve to enhance overall e-learning education accessibility in the Balikpapan area and to help students who have been excluded from education. Good Neighbors has taken steps to encourage students and parents to actively utilize CLCs. A parent committee was formed by selecting 125 parents representing the local community, and e-learning capacity building activities were conducted for them.

In addition, in cooperation with the Balikpapan Children’s Rights Department and the Office of Education, we conducted education for parents on ‘The Importance of Parents’ Digital Capabilities in the Digital Age’ and ‘Improving Awareness of Children’s Education Rights’. More than 1,800 parents took the education, both online and offline. The effect was that parents’ knowledge of e-learning education increased by about 50.3%.

When 120 parents were asked about the contribution of CLC to e-learning education, 95.6% answered ‘very high’ or ‘high.’ They also responded that CLC has a positive impact on digital-based learning activities.

Parents’ Committee e-learning capacity building training. Provided by Good Neighbors

CLC also carried out family activities with the goal of ‘Family Recovery after COVID-19’. Good Neighbors, in cooperation with the Department of Psychology at Balikpapan University, produced educational animations on ‘Bullying in Schools’, ‘Domestic Violence’, ‘Children’s Smartphone Addiction’, and ‘Conflicts Between Neighbors 1 and 2’. The whole family sat around CLC, watched the animations, and then had time to discuss the topics.

Collaboration with local governments to ensure business sustainability

Cooperation with local government is essential for the smooth operation and sustainability of the business. Balikpapan Education Office issued certificates to those who completed the ‘e-learning teacher training’. This certificate was used as a bonus point for teacher promotion. Teachers have become more active in e-learning classes.

With the cooperation of the local government, a budget was secured for the sustainable operation of the e-learning classroom and CLC. The school manages the e-learning classroom with the school operating expenses supported by the government. The school also purchased and installed internet and air conditioners in the classroom with the budget. The CLC, which is not affiliated with the school, received government approval to be managed through the Balikpapan local government’s ‘School Operation Support Fund System’. The sustainability of the business was secured through the high interest and dedication of the local community.

Good Neighbors-Hyundai Engineering-Balikpapan Regional Government Meeting. Provided by Good Neighbors

Kim Sun, head of the international business division of Good Neighbors, said, “In order to achieve sustainable change in the local community, partners from various fields must come together to empathize with social issues. They must also make efforts to set common goals and communicate continuously.” He added, “I would like to thank Hyundai Engineering for their continuous cooperation and the Balikpapan local community and Ministry of Education officials for their active participation in the project with a sense of ownership.”

Kim Min-seok, team leader at Hyundai Engineering, said, “We are delighted to participate in the project to improve the educational environment in the Balikpapan region,” and added, “We hope that Hyundai Engineering will continue to contribute to the development of Indonesia, including the Balikpapan region, in the future.”

“The excellent educational content produced through this project is being utilized in Balikpapan elementary schools,” said Iran Taufik, Balikpapan Education Director. “We are grateful that Balikpapan can participate in this project.”

Reporter Lee Hye-won, Donga.com [email protected]

2024-07-22 18:21:13