Author: Alfin Heriagus
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace is one of the work programs of the Environmental Social Department of the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (BEM FMNS UI) which focuses on education for underprivileged children in the Depok area. This year, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace carries the theme “Together with Meaning”. This theme means that in providing teaching to students, we all learn together and extract the essential meaning from the activity.
“So this meaning gives a message that not only students learn, but the organizers also learn from each other both in terms of education and in life learning,” said Zahra, one of the core committee of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace. The purpose of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace work program is to provide lessons to orphans & poor children around Depok who cannot get additional education such as tutoring. This is done so that students can deepen their knowledge and add new insights.
With the knowledge they have, it is hoped that the children will gain valuable knowledge and fun experiences while participating in this Teras Belajar activity. The learning process in this program has been carried out 12 times every Saturday with a learning mechanism that is divided into two sessions, namely morning and afternoon. The subjects taught in this program are math, science, English, and social studies. This year, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace activity process was carried out at the Kafilatur Rasul Orphanage located on Jl. Kartini, Depok, West Java.
During the learning process, not only providing theory, the committee team also held practical activities such as simple games that can be done by everyone. This is done so that students can feel pleasure, comfort and happiness during the learning process.
One of the students named Satiri expressed his happiness because he could get free learning and useful knowledge from the committee. Satiri said this program really helped him in gaining new knowledge, new friends, as well as friendly and patient committee members in teaching. Not only Satiri, but M. Fatoni, a second-year junior high school student, was also happy to gain new experiences and insights.
This is done because each child has different thinking power and knowledge, the higher the level of education, the material that will be delivered will be adjusted by the committee team.
Marsya Mahira Putri, chief executive of Teras Belajar MIPA, explained the importance of this program. She considers this program important as a form of our concern for children who need additional education but are hampered by economic problems. “Yes, this program is free of charge, and not only learning, here we also have fun together with ice braking,” said Marsya.
Although the condition of the COVID-19 pandemic has not improved, the enthusiasm and spirit of the committee and children must be appreciated. During the learning process, the children remain conducive and orderly during the learning activities. “The children here are active, if they find new things they don’t hesitate to ask us directly, it feels good to be part of this MIPA Learning Terrace,” said Zahra. The learning process still prioritizes health protocols such as using a maker, maintaining distance, and washing hands before or after learning activities take place.
In line with this, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace program is also in line with one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely quality education. Quality education here means ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and increasing lifelong learning opportunities for all. Although the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace program is only an additional learning for children, it has provided opportunities for children to gain new knowledge and insights. The committee of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace consists of active student family associations (IKM) of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UI starting from the class of 2019, 2020, and 2021. This year, 8 elementary school children and 13 junior high school children have been taught through the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Terrace program.
