KREASI Halmahera Utara initiated the Catch-Up Club program as a solution to help Grade 3 students close gaps in literacy and numeracy. The activity is implemented in 14 partner schools across three sub-districts: Tobelo Utara, Tobelo, and Tobelo Tengah.
A total of 29 tutors and facilitators have been trained to support students four days a week. The Catch-Up Club is designed to provide additional learning support, build students’ confidence, and create an enjoyable learning experience. However, implementation has faced several challenges, such as low student attendance due to limited parental support and constraints in accessing classrooms once regular school hours have ended.
“Catch-Up Club is not just an extra class, but a safe space for children to learn according to their abilities. Support from parents and schools is crucial for the success of this program,” said Valdi, a Catch-Up Club coordinator in Tobelo Sub-district.
After seven weeks of implementation, students said they enjoyed the sessions because they could learn while playing.
“I like joining Catch-Up because I can learn with my friends while playing. The teacher is kind,” said a student, Ayu (not her real name).
“We can learn while playing so that we can become good at reading,” added another student, Caca (not her real name).
Beyond the students, the program has also been well received by parents, who are happy that their children receive additional support.
“Our child got information from school that they would be supported by KREASI. I also told other parents. We would regret it if we didn’t take this seriously, because it’s hard to find tutors. This is free, and if we had to provide it ourselves, it wouldn’t be cheap. So it must be supported with a commitment to ensure the child joins the activities. Before joining the Catch-Up Club, Jelita was not very fluent in reading. After one month, she has become more fluent. We hope my child can be supported for a longer time,” said Ramses, one of the parents.
As a follow-up, there will be a joint evaluation and reflection involving all parties to strengthen strategies and collaboration with schools and relevant government offices, as well as to prepare replication in other schools at the sub-district level. This program represents a concrete step to improve the quality of education in Halmahera Utara.
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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 in Halmahera Utara is being implemented by Save the Children and local implementing partner Wahana Visi Indonesia, support by the Government of Halmahera Utara with aims to improve the quality of education in Indonesia by strengthening teaching, learning, and student development.
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Writer: Rany Monika Purba | Editor: Andika Ramadhan | Photo: KREASI/Wahana Visi Indonesia/Save the Children