For twelve years, Fahri has dedicated himself to teaching mathematics in Pulau Morotai District, North Maluku Province. Morotai is a place where education faces real, pressing challenges. According to the 2024 National Education Report, many schools on the island still struggle to deliver foundational skills like literacy and numeracy. For Fahri, these weren’t just numbers in a report; they were everyday reality in his classroom. He cared deeply for his students but often felt that his best efforts weren’t enough to truly close the gap.
“I’ve always loved teaching, but there were times when I felt stuck, like I was doing all I could but not really getting through,” said Fahri.
His breakthrough came in April 2025, when he was selected to join the Master Teachers of Numeracy Training under the KREASI Program.
The KREASI Program is a strategic initiative of the Government of Indonesia, supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through the Multiplier Grant. It focuses on improving early childhood and primary education by strengthening foundational skills and advancing child protection efforts. In Morotai, the program is implemented by Save the Children Indonesia in collaboration with the Stimulant Institute and the Local Education Ecosystem.
The training was designed to enhance teachers’ capacity to deliver effective numeracy and literacy instruction. As a Master Teacher, Fahri is now equipped not only to implement what he has learned in his own classroom, but also to support other educators through the Teacher Working Group (KKG). The model emphasizes sustained professional development through mentoring and peer learning, beyond the classroom training itself.
Fahri didn’t expect how deeply the experience would affect him. “I thought I was just there to improve how I teach, but I ended up changing how I see myself. Not just as a teacher, but as a mentor too,” he said.
One moment in training left a lasting impression. “I suddenly realized there was a better way to teach a math concept. It finally clicked when the facilitator explained how to help students understand numbers and recognize patterns as part of core numeracy,” he recalled.
This was more than just a new technique. It was a shift in mindset. Fahri began to see math not as a rigid series of rules and formulas, but as a tool for helping students make sense of the world. More than strategies, the training gave him a renewed sense of clarity, purpose, and joy in teaching.
Now, as a Master Teacher, Fahri is helping other educators in Morotai discover the same confidence and tools. Starting in his own school and continuing through the KKG, he shares what he learned.
With every lesson he teaches and every teacher he mentors, Fahri’s impact continues to grow. He is not just changing how math is taught, but how it is understood and appreciated. His journey is a reminder that investing in teachers means investing in something far greater.
Author: Sonya Teresa Debora (KREASI District Representative for Morotai)
Editor & Translator: Laras Sabila Putri (KREASI Communication and Media Manager) & Adhimas Wahyu Agung Wijaya (KREASI Education Manager)