UI Teaching Movement batch 13 (GUIM 13) officially opened their series of activities at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) Convention Hall. The Grand Opening event, which was organized by the UI Student Executive Board (BEM) Community Social Department, featured a talk show that raised crucial issues in the world of Indonesian education with the theme “Indonesian Education Problems: The Gap in Teacher Quality Towards Inclusive Education.” This event aimed to open discourse about the importance of equal distribution of teacher quality and its impact on education in Indonesia, especially among students and the community.
The UI Teaching Movement (GUIM) is a community service initiative that focuses on developing basic education in rural and remote areas as a solution to overcome gaps and strengthen the sustainability of education in Indonesia. For more than a decade, GUIM has been committed to supporting education in remote areas across the country. This year, GUIM 13 plans to carry out activities in Lampung Province with the title “Igniting Hope, Creating Stories “. With the same spirit, namely to advocate for equal distribution of teacher quality and underline its impact on the Indonesian education system.
Emy Nurmayanti, M.S.E, Head of Sub-Directorate for Partnership and Community Service, UI Directorate of Student Affairs, also expressed her appreciation for the UI Teaching Movement that has been consistent in carrying out community service as an embodiment of the Three Principles of Higher Education. This talk show session was guided by Dheayu Jihan, Producer and Anchor Tempo, with three resource persons who are very competent in the field of education, namely Dr. Nuril Furkan, M.Pd. M.H., CPM., Representative from the Directorate of Secondary Education and Special Education Teachers (Dikmen Diksus) Ministry of Education Culture Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) RI; UI Sociology of Education Lecturer, Prof. Dr. Paulus Wirotomo, M.Sc.; Chairman of the Indonesian Teaching Movement, Hikmat Hardono, S.E.
In the talk show session, Nuril Furkan emphasized the importance of close collaboration between institutions to handle various education problems in Indonesia. Furthermore, he highlighted that education problems are complex issues that cannot be resolved by one institution or one sector alone. Effective cooperation between government, educational institutions, community organizations and the private sector is needed to create sustainable solutions.
“Students also have a role because they still have the idealism to advance the world of education. We hope that partners outside the government, such as students, the Indonesia Teaching Foundation, etc. share experiences and sit together to find a solution for problems that arise,” said Nuril Furkan.
Meanwhile, UI Sociology of Education Lecturer, Prof. Paulus Wirotomo, emphasized the importance of mobilizing the power of research to become the basis for inclusive education policies in an effort to improve the quality of education in Indonesia. He also conveyed the importance of the function of schools as social elevators, where schools play an important role in elevating a person’s social status and position. “We need to mobilize research power, as some of this knowledge is very theoretical, but has not yet been done practically. Even though visiting regions to teach does not instantly solve the teacher shortage problem, it can give a real impact,” said Prof. Paul.
Hikmat Hardono as Chairman of GUIM also included his prayers and hopes for the UI Teaching Movement in 2023 where it can continue to be a consistent and impactful movement. “UI friends, good luck in your service, always be patient and steadfast. God willing, everything you do will make you people who truly understand problems in Indonesia. You have lived in villages, you have read methods on campus, but you have also experienced the problems firsthand in villages,” said Hikmat Hardono, Chairman of GUIM.
The event ended sweetly by showing a video of aspirations from students and teachers at SDN 02 Pondok Cina regarding their hopes on the welfare of teachers and students. The Grand Opening of GUIM 13 marks an ambitious first step in solving educational challenges in Indonesia, and is expected to inspire students and all parties who care about the nation’s educational future. GUIM 13 with its strong determination is committed to being an agent of positive change in the world of Indonesian education.