Teacher’s Struggle during Pandemic, One Hour Walking to Teach Students at Home

The online learning system during the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for teachers and students living in remote areas. One of the teachers experienced it is Aven, an elementary school teacher in East Manggara, NTT. The area where she teaches is still a village which is difficult to reach by cellular signals. In addition, because of the economic condition, not all children have smartphones to study online.

“Most of student’s parents are farmers. Not all students can study online if we, as teachers, force them,” said Aven.

As teachers, Aven has responsibility to teach her students. Since the face-to-face meeting in East Manggarai regency is allowed, finally once a week Aven visits her student’s to teach. It is not easy for her to visit their house, because she needs to go there on foot for 45 to 60 minutes since the location is difficult to access and there was no vehicle that she could use. However, her passion for teaching never fades. Her works is paid off when she meet the students who are eager to learn.

“Although it is only once a week, I am very happy to meet them,” she said.

In a house, there are usually some students who gather to study. All health protocols are implemented during the activity including wearing masks, washing hands with soap and keeping the distance. However, sometimes when she came to her student's house, Aven does not meet them.

“I am sad that many of my students end up following their parents to work in the fields or gardens. I hope that we can hold face-to-face meeting soon so they can really learn,” she continued.

Despite these difficult conditions, Aven still learns new modules to teach during the pandemic. One of them is taking part in online training for teachers and implementing the teaching module 'Collection of Learning Implementation Plans (RPP): Freedom to Learn in 3T areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic'. She admits that the training really helps her. Also, she gets the new knowledge from the module.

“Thank you WVI. This module really helps us teach remotely during the pandemic situation,” said Aven.

To this day, Aven continues to teach by visiting her student’s house just like many other teachers in the Indonesian areas who are struggling to keep teaching during the pandemic. Obviously, Aven's effort will be the unforgettable memories for her students. Welcoming the Teacher's Day 2020, let us together appreciate our teachers who have worked hard to teach us while at school. What would you like to say to them this Teacher's Day?

Written by Rena Tanjung, Communications Officer, Wahana Visi Indonesia