KREASI Nias Utara held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the theme Optimizing Regional Budget (APBD), Grant Funds, School Operational Assistance (BOS), and Early Childhood Education Operational Assistance (BOP PAUD) for Teacher Capacity Building on Friday (29/8/2025) in Lotu, Nias Utara. The event brought together representatives from the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Office (Bapperida), the Regional Financial and Revenue Management Office (BPKPD), the Nias Utara Education Office, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), members of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), education figures, and principals from KREASI-supported schools.
The discussion, moderated by the Chair of the Nias Utara Education Council, Yuterlin Zalukhu, focused on the current state of education in Nias Utara, challenges in improving teacher quality, and strategies to optimize budget allocations so they are more effectively targeted. The forum produced several agreements, including proposals to include Regional School Operational Assistance (BOSDA) in the 2026 Regional Government Work Plan (RKPD), strengthen teacher training programs, draft a legal framework for BOSDA, and ensure equitable distribution of teachers and education infrastructure across schools.
Secretary of Commission II of the Nias Utara DPRD, Taefori Zalukhu, emphasized the importance of enhancing teacher quality. He stated that teachers need to be strengthened pedagogically, professionally, and digitally to meet the current challenges in education, and assured that all input from this forum would be brought to the DPRD for further advocacy.
Head of the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) Division at the Education Office, Abiudin Gea, highlighted the low number of qualified PAUD teachers in Nias Utara. Out of all PAUD and kindergarten teachers, only about 50 hold a bachelor’s degree. He encouraged the provision of scholarships and BOSDA support to help teachers pursue at least an undergraduate education.
From a planning standpoint, Head of Division at Bapperida, Mukhlis Zalukhu, acknowledged that basic challenges remain in terms of teacher quality, student literacy and numeracy, and limited school infrastructure. He emphasized that the results of the FGD should be formally documented so they can be followed up in a cross-sectoral manner.
One principal shared that until now, there has not been any capacity-building training for teachers from the local government, and schools still lack important learning tools such as LCD projectors and curriculum-aligned books. A kindergarten principal in Lotu added that most of their teachers do not have an early childhood education background, and their facilities are still inadequate. She hoped future training programs could also include kindergartens so that quality improvements begin from early childhood.
The FGD also discussed the need to strengthen teacher learning communities, utilize digital technology, and provide more efficient solutions through online training.
Head of Section at the Nias Utara Office of Religious Affairs, Juliaro Gea, stated that strengthening teacher learning communities is important for teacher professionalism and that digital technology can help expand access to learning resources.
As a follow-up, the forum reached a consensus on a number of key actions, including the proposal of BOSDA in RKPD 2026, strengthening both face-to-face and online teacher training, drafting a legal framework for BOSDA management, mapping teacher distribution, and ensuring that infrastructure needs are incorporated into the education budget planning process.
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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 Article 33 Indonesia nd support by the Government of Nias Utara. KREASI aims to improve the quality of education in Nias Utara by strengthening teaching, learning, and student development.
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Writer: Calvin Telaumbanua, Editor: Andika Ramadhan
Photo: Calvin Telaumbanua/KREASI/Article 33 Indonesia/Save the Children