In a classroom in one of the schools in Nias Selatan, reading lessons no longer feel rigid and boring. Pustriani, a dedicated and passionate teacher, has transformed the challenge of low student interest in reading into an engaging learning experience through a simple yet effective innovation she calls the “Syllable Hunt.”
Literacy challenges in the classroom are still common, especially for early-grade students. For many of them, combining letters into syllables can feel difficult and overwhelming. Pustriani realized that conventional lecture-based methods were no longer effective in capturing students’ attention, especially for a generation that responds better to visual and hands-on learning. This situation reflects broader education challenges in Nias Selatan, where efforts are ongoing to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, including through digital platforms such as Ruang GTK.
The “Syllable Hunt” innovation was inspired by the collaborative spirit fostered in training sessions organized by KREASI Nias Selatan, implemented by Ikatan Guru Indonesia. Pustriani developed an interactive board as a learning tool. Instead of sitting passively, students are invited to “hunt” for syllable cards and arrange them into meaningful words and sentences.
“The key to successful learning is when students feel involved and comfortable,” she said.
This learning media uses simple, easily accessible materials, yet its impact has been significant. Students who were previously passive are now eager to come forward, actively participating in arranging words with enthusiasm and joy.
Through mentoring in teacher capacity-building workshops organized by KREASI, Pustriani has also gained the confidence to document her teaching practices and share them more widely. With guidance from facilitators, she learned how to upload her work as digital content so it can serve as a reference for teachers across Indonesia through the Ruang GTK platform.
Pustriani is now committed to continuing to overcome digital literacy challenges while creating a more inclusive classroom environment. Through this simple initiative with the syllable board, she hopes to contribute to improving the quality of education in Nias Selatan—proving that teacher creativity is a key driver of meaningful change in schools.
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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 (GPE), developed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag). KREASI is being implemented by Save the Children with Ikatan Guru Indonesia and supported by the Government of Nias Selatan. KREASI aims to improve the quality of education by strengthening teaching, learning, and student development.
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Writer: Afnidar Dakhi | Editor: Andika Ramadhan | Photo: Afnidar Dakhi/KREASI/Save the Children