Digitalization and Literacy Strategies Produce Achievements

The educational system's learning transformation strategy places a high priority on innovation through the use of technology. Isran Noor, the governor of East Kalimantan, stated that in order to bring about a wave of transformation, educators and teachers must act as change agents.

Additionally, he added in his remarks for the book "Pijar Learning, The Struggle of Education People Supporting the Archipelago," "East Kalimantan will later take on responsibility as the location for the National Capital.". twenty education activists from four East Kalimantan districts and cities contributed their inspiring stories to this book, which was produced in partnership with the Tanoto Foundation.

Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto established an independent philanthropic organization called PINTAR in 1981. Since then, it has collaborated with 25 district and city governments in Indonesia through the PINTAR program (Development of Innovation for Quality Learning). Through this program, 8,490 teachers and school principals were successfully reached in 2021 and served as role models for implementing active learning for more than 198,000 students.

Ahmad Gunanto, the director of the Nahdlatul Ulama Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Balikpapan, is one of the education activists taking part in the PINTAR program in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan. Gunanto asserted that despite his advanced age, he and other people must always be learning in order to keep up with technological advancements.

He said that in order to support learning, "teachers are currently expected to be technologically literate.". Graduate of S1 Biology at Tridharma University and D2 Islamic Religious Education at STAIN Samarinda, it is aware that technological advancements cause significant changes in the educational landscape.

Gunanto began maximizing the use of a variety of programs, including Kobo, Google Form, and Zoom, to support learning after gaining experience with the PINTAR program. Additionally read: Enhance Learning Quality, Create the Kukar Pintar Ecosystem. "At our madrasas, we no longer use paper for year-end assessments; this is part of an environmentally friendly program," he said.

Gunanto not only promotes digitization but also the Reading Corner Literacy Movement in madrasas, which is another way the company keeps promoting literacy. With all the restrictions, he continued, "We want our students to apply what God first commanded the Prophet, which is reading!.

In terms of improved changes, such as increased enthusiasm and achievement, Gunanto claimed that 95% of students had noticed improvements. More interactive instruction is still needed to help the remaining 5% of students.

Now a favorite, Madrasah Ibtidaiyah NU Balikpapan has benefited from advances in digitalization and literacy. In comparison to when he first took the helm, Gunanto claimed that the number of applicants for admission to his madrasa has now multiplied by five, reaching 600 applicants.

"About 98 percent of madrasa graduates also succeed in getting into preferred public schools in Balikpapan," he stated. The PINTAR program's goal is to help the government in enhancing the standard of instruction and school management, according to Margaretha Ari Widowati, director of the Basic Education Program at the Tanoto Foundation, who also added that the program works in conjunction with local governments.

"Through the PINTAR program, we not only model active learning, but also encourage the acceleration of technology-based learning," he said. Along with Gunanto, Triyuni Astuti (Head of SD Disdikbud Balikpapan), Sri Rahayu (Indonesian Teacher at SMPN 13 Balikpapan), Abdul Rahmat (Teacher of SDN 001 Central Balikpapan), and Nurhidayah (English Teacher at SMPN 4 Balikpapan) are other prominent individuals who inspire education activists in Balikpapan City. Their stories are included in the Pijar Learning book.

(RO/OL-7).

The PINTAR program's goal is to help the government in enhancing the standard of instruction and school management, according to Margaretha Ari Widowati, director of the Basic Education Program at the Tanoto Foundation, who also added that the program works in conjunction with local governments.