The KREASI Program in Nias Utara, implemented by Article 33 Indonesia, organized an Education Festival titled “Inclusive Education Based on Local Culture in Nias Utara” at the Nias Utara District Tribune on 5–6 March 2026. The event aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of education while strengthening collaboration among students, teachers, schools, parents, government, and the community in building inclusive and sustainable education in Nias Utara District.
The festival served as a platform to showcase various good practices in education implemented through the KREASI Program, while also encouraging the development of students’ literacy and numeracy skills. In addition, the event aimed to foster students’ character, creativity, and self-confidence, as well as to introduce and preserve local culture as part of the learning process.
A range of activities were featured during the festival, including photo documentation exhibitions of the program, displays of educational teaching aids (APE), and cultural performances such as maena and traditional dances performed by students from KREASI-supported schools. The festival also included an award ceremony for teachers and schools demonstrating innovation in teaching practices. In addition, the event featured an education seminar and dialogue sessions with KREASI-supported teachers who shared their experiences in implementing the program in their respective schools.
On the first day, the festival highlighted exhibitions showcasing the journey and impact of the KREASI Program in Nias Utara District. Visitors were able to explore program documentation and displays of simple, culture-based teaching aids presented by students from 28 partner schools involved in the program.
Several local government agencies also participated by setting up exhibition booths, including the Dinas Pendidikan, Dinas P3AP2KB, Dinas Perpustakaan dan Arsip, Dinas Kesehatan, and the Kantor Kementerian Agama Kabupaten Nias Utara.
The opening ceremony was attended by Bupati Nias Utara Amizaro Waruwu, Wakil Bupati Nias Utara Yusman Zega, Ketua DPRD Nias Utara Ya’aman Telaumbanua, along with other local government officials.
In his remarks, Director of Article 33 Indonesia, Santoso, stated that the festival also marked a moment of reflection on one year of KREASI Program implementation in Nias Utara District. Over the past year, the program has collaborated with 28 schools across three sub-districts—Afulu, Lahewa, and Lotu—engaging 28 principals, 240 teachers, 695 students, 271 parents, and two villages in various program activities.
The program’s support has focused on four main areas: curriculum and assessment, teaching practices, school leadership, and child protection. Through these efforts, several positive outcomes have been achieved, including improved student literacy through additional learning support for those experiencing learning gaps, as well as the emergence of various good teaching practices among teachers.
On the second day, the festival continued with an education seminar featuring Ketua Umum LPAI Seto Mulyadi, a well-known education expert and child advocate, widely known as Kak Seto. The event also included an interactive dialogue with KREASI-supported teachers titled “KREASI Nias Utara Bercerita” with the subtheme “Strengthening Literacy and Numeracy through Inclusive Education.”
During the session, Kak Seto emphasized the importance of creating child-friendly and inclusive learning environments to support the development of literacy and numeracy from an early age.
In his remarks, Bupati Nias Utara Amizaro Waruwu highlighted that the education festival serves as an important reminder of the shared responsibility in improving education. He emphasized that education should not remain a concept or ceremonial activity, but must be translated into concrete actions that prepare the younger generation to face future challenges.
Meanwhile, Ketua DPRD Nias Utara Ya’aman Telaumbanua expressed appreciation for the KREASI Program, noting its positive impact on the development of education in the region. He expressed hope that the program can continue to expand so that more schools and sub-districts in Nias Utara can benefit from it.
Through this festival, all stakeholders are expected to further strengthen collaboration in creating a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable education ecosystem rooted in local cultural values in Nias Utara District.
_____
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.
_____
Writer: Calvin Telaumbanua | Editor: Andika Ramadhan | Photo: Calvin Telaumbanua/KREASI/Article 33 Indonesia/Save the Children