In a significant effort to enhance literacy among Indonesian children living in Malaysia, a dedicated team of educators from the Indonesian Language Education Program at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) has launched a community service program at Sanggar Belajar Kelang. This initiative, titled Penguatan dan Pendampingan Membaca bagi Siswa di Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur (SIKL), employs a creative learning approach tailored to meet the needs of its young learners.
The program is spearheaded by Abdul Aziz Khoiri, S.Pd., M.Pd., along with Dr. Moh. Ahsan Shohifur Rizal, M.Pd., and Dr. Abdul Kholiq, M.Pd. Khoiri explained that the teaching method focuses on picture stories, designed to enhance students' understanding and critical thinking skills. "We use picture story media. The children are asked to arrange pictures according to the storyline, so they not only read but also comprehend the context as a whole," Khoiri stated during a recent conversation in Kuala Lumpur.
However, the program faces several challenges. Most students at the learning center are children of migrant workers who are more accustomed to speaking Malay than Indonesian. "We deliver instructions in Malay so that they can understand well. However, gradually we are introducing and familiarizing them with the use of Indonesian in learning activities," Khoiri added.
In addition to language barriers, the program grapples with limited classroom facilities, scarce learning materials, and the diverse educational backgrounds of the teaching staff. "Some educators do not come from formal educational backgrounds. Some are high school graduates, yet their dedication and commitment to assisting the children in learning are very high," Khoiri noted.
Despite these hurdles, Khoiri believes that the community service program is crucial in providing basic literacy support and fostering analytical thinking skills for Indonesian children abroad. He emphasized the need for systematic and sustainable support from various parties. "We hope this program is not just incidental but becomes part of a long-term educational movement for children living abroad, especially at Sanggar Belajar Kelang in Malaysia," he concluded.
Meanwhile, in Bireuen, Indonesia, Yayasan At-Tibyan Center Indonesia has announced the opening of new student registrations for its International Class of the Arabic Language Education Program for the academic year 2025/2026. This program is a strategic collaboration with Universitas Islam Aceh (UIA) Almuslim Peusangan and is specifically designed for young people seeking high-quality education with a deep understanding of the Arabic language.
Ustadz Iskandar, the chairman of Yayasan At-Tibyan Center Indonesia, shared that registration has been open since February 25 and will close on June 25, 2025. The program is exclusive, with a limited quota, and will be directly guided by the internationally recognized Arabic language expert, Syeikh Abdul Ghani Said Ali from Sudan. In addition to Syeikh Abdul Ghani, professional lecturers from UIA will also teach various fields of study.
Students who successfully pass the selection process will receive a full scholarship and accommodations in the dormitory provided by Yayasan At-Tibyan Center Indonesia in Geulanggang Gampong, Kecamatan Kota Juang, Bireuen. "Students who pass the selection will receive full scholarships and stay in dormitories provided by Yayasan At-Tibyan Center Indonesia in Geulanggang Gampong, Kecamatan Kota Juang, Bireuen," Iskandar explained in a press statement.
The program is open to high school/MA graduates, D3 graduates, and santri eager to deepen their knowledge of the Arabic language. Participants must be willing to reside in the dormitory as part of an intensive training system. The program boasts several advantages, including instructors who are graduates from overseas with international experience, an active Arabic learning process, and aims to achieve memorization of 30 juz of the Al-Qur’an as well as mastery of Kutubus Sittah. Furthermore, there are scholarship opportunities for outstanding students to pursue postgraduate studies abroad.
"This is the second batch. The first batch has been accepted and is currently attending classes and residing in our dormitory," Ustadz Iskandar added, encouraging interested candidates to register as soon as possible.
For those interested, registration can be completed via the following link: https://bit.ly/beasiswaattibyanuia2025. Direct registration is also available at the Yayasan At-Tibyan Center Indonesia office, located on Jalan Pasar Induk Cureh, Desa Geulanggang Gampong, Kecamatan Kota Juang, Kabupaten Bireuen, Aceh.
In addition to the program details, Syeikh Abdul Ghani Said Ali from Sudan brings a wealth of experience to the table. He holds a Master's degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language from Universitas Ulum Islamiyah in Karachi, Pakistan, and has over 20 years of teaching experience. His diverse educational background and proficiency in five languages—Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Turkish, and Russian—enhance the program's credibility.
As the educational landscape evolves, these initiatives by UNESA and Yayasan At-Tibyan Center Indonesia highlight the commitment to providing quality education and literacy support to Indonesian children both at home and abroad. Such programs not only foster academic growth but also aim to instill a sense of belonging and identity among Indonesian expatriates.
