IO, Jakarta – The Astra-Michael D. Ruslim Education Foundation (YPA-MDR), which was specially set up by PT Astra International Tbk, has continued to contribute as a driving force to the advancement of Indonesian education in underprivileged areas for 12 years.
This contribution was realized through adaptive/agile, innovative, and impactful coaching programs, based on four integrated development patterns, namely, academics, arts, character, and life skills.
Head of YPA-MDR Management Herawati Prasetyo told of the long journey of YPA-MDR, starting from an idea shared by the President Director of Astra for the period 2005–2010, the late Michael D Ruslim. His mandate was structured through a vision, mission, strategy, and programs specifically aimed at underprivileged areas, in the context of sustainable social contributions in Indonesia’s outermost frontiers, to realize Astra’s ideal: “Prosperous with the Nation”.
“By the age of 12, YPA-MDR has assisted 106 schools spread across 16 districts in Lampung, Banten, West Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Central Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara, with a total of 1,509 teachers and 23,819 students,” Herawati Prasetyo announced in an online talk show entitled “Complete Review of National Assessment”, Tuesday (26/01/2020).
Present at the event were the Head of the Center for Assessment and Learning, Ministry of Education, Dra. Asrijanty, M.A., Ph.D., and 250 participants from YPA-MDR target and non-target schools. Furthermore, Herawati continued, 33 target schools have reached the stage of “superior” and 18 target schools are in the process of “becoming superior”.
“Meanwhile, in the assessment of school status, 43 target schools were accredited A,” Herawati Prasetyo said
Adaptation in the Covid-19 era
Even though it is currently in a pandemic era, YPA-MDR still contributes and encourages all students and the schools it supports. “Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and in the era of adapting to this new habit does not reduce the enthusiasm and motivation of YPA-MDR and all the target schools wherever they are,” she said.
“This is proven by the fact that many teachers, students, and target schools have made proud achievements, both at the sub-district, district, provincial and national levels for the academic, non-academic, and Adiwiyata school awards. The achievements of teachers, students, and schools, even the school committees, show their seriousness in trying to be a part of those realizing the ‘Pride of the Nation’.”
YPA-MDR, which is increasingly growing by building the character of YPA-MDR’s people with the motto “Serving with Heart”, carries the core values of “Smart, Dynamic, Enthusiastic, Synergistic”, applying an integrated development pattern of four program pillars (academics, character, life skills, arts), and the concept of escalator schools in fulfilling the 12-year compulsory education, as well as various excellent and strategic programs, such as the SCS (School Collaboration System), GASING method mathematics, Young Front Guard Teachers and programs -An iconic program that gave birth to a generation of young entrepreneurs such as the Little Batik Village, KEMUDI (Independent Young Entrepreneur Community), Cultural Tourism Village, and many others. (wan)