As a third-grade elementary school teacher in Morotai, Oniy had her own concerns. She still encountered students who didn’t recognize letters, couldn’t spell, and didn’t understand syllables. The low interest in learning among children at her school posed a challenge that wasn’t easy to overcome. Oniy tell her story on Monday (22/9/2025).
Change began to take place when her school was selected as one of the KREASI Morotai partner schools, a program implemented by the Stimulant Institute. Through this program, Oniy received training as a mentor for literacy and numeracy clubs using fun and creative learning approaches. When she applied these methods in class, Oniy noticed a transformation—not just in her students, but in herself as a teacher.
“Since the literacy and numeracy club started, I’ve felt more creative in teaching. I make visual aids to help children learn letters and syllables and post them in the classroom. It turns out that with this kind of learning method, the children become more excited to learn,” Oniy shared when discussing the progress of her literacy and numeracy club participants.
Before attending the training, Oniy admitted she still used rather monotonous teaching methods—limited to explaining materials, reading, and writing. Now, with more varied and interactive approaches, students’ interest in learning grows naturally without being forced. Their enthusiasm even carries beyond regular school hours.
“When it’s almost break time, the children often say, ‘Miss, let’s not take a break yet, let’s keep learning!’” Oniy recalled.
The school principal, who had observed the classroom atmosphere several times, was also impressed by the students’ enthusiasm. One day, as the lesson time was about to end, the principal entered the classroom and said, “Miss, class is almost over. I think today’s learning session is enough.”
But Oniy explained that it was the children themselves who asked to continue the activity. That enthusiasm was clear evidence that engaging learning tools could significantly increase student motivation. The children’s desire to learn didn’t stop at school either. Oniy often received videos from parents of third-grade students showing their children at home paying attention to their surroundings and writing down the names of objects around them. This surge in motivation delighted not only the teachers but also left a lasting impression on the parents, who witnessed the positive changes in their children.
KREASI not only offers training to improve literacy and numeracy skills but also helps reinforce child protection practices in schools. In the past, Oniy held on to the old belief that “there is gold at the tip of the cane.” But after being introduced to fun-based learning methods, her perspective changed. She realized that teaching doesn’t require violence.
“It turns out that teaching really must adapt to the times. Without the cane, the children are actually easier to guide and more eager to learn,” said Oniy.
The literacy and numeracy club, which began in July 2025, has already shown real impact. Children who previously didn’t know letters have slowly begun to spell, understand syllables, and read.
Oniy acknowledged that the presence of KREASI in Morotai helped her overcome the worries she once had. She now understands that no child is inherently stupid, lazy, or becomes smart because of fear-based learning. The key is creating a joyful classroom environment with engaging teaching methods—this is what truly increases children’s desire to learn.
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The Program of KREASI or Kolaborasi untuk Edukasi Anak Indonesia (Collaboration for the Education of Indonesian Children) is funded by the Global Partnership for Education, developed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. KREASI is being implemented by Save the Children with Stimulant Institute and support by the Government of Pulau Morotai. KREASI aims to improve the quality of education in Pulau Morotai by strengthening teaching, learning, and student development.
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Writer: Ayutama Putri Jordy, Editor: Andika Ramadhan
Photo: Ayutama Putri Jordy/KREASI/Stimulant Institute/Save the Children