UNS – The Ministry of Social Affairs of the Student Executive Board (BEM) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, under the Oasis Makna Cabinet, has once again carried out the UNS Mengajar 2024 (UNS Teaching) program. With the theme “Menyalakan Cahaya Literasi, Membangun Karakter Generasi Emas 2045: Menuju Masa Depan Pendidikan Berkelanjutan” (Igniting the Light of Literacy, Building the Golden Generation of 2045: Towards a Sustainable Education Future), this program was implemented in two villages in Boyolali Regency: Genting Village in Cepogo District and Lencoh Village in Selo District.

The goal of UNS Mengajar 2024 is to improve the quality of education in rural areas. Addressing the educational gap between rural and urban regions is a significant objective of the program. The initiative focuses on students, the local community, and youth, aiming to bring positive change to these villages.

The program emerged in response to the educational disparities across various regions. Access to equal education is still not universally available, prompting UNS Teaching to invite volunteers to act as bridges in providing education, primarily at the elementary level.

The volunteers were drawn from the broader UNS student community, representing a range of study programs. From 300 applicants, 33 students were selected to participate in UNS Teaching 2024, with a total of 55 volunteers deployed to the two villages. The program focused on elementary education over two weeks in August 2024. The volunteers taught at several schools, including SD Negeri 1 Genting, SD Negeri 2 Genting, SD Negeri 2 Selo, and SD Negeri Lencoh. The enthusiasm of the villagers, teachers, and students significantly contributed to the success of this initiative.

UNS Mengajar 2024 not only focused on classroom teaching but also incorporated various community service activities. Volunteers were actively involved in activities such as legal education, workshops on making liquid organic fertilizer, distribution of food aid (zakat), assisting with preparations for Independence Day carnivals, running Quranic study sessions (TPA), and distributing ice cream to children.

The legal education component was aimed at informing the villagers about their legal rights. In Genting Village, the legal outreach was conducted by Williem Laurentius Nainggolan, S.H., from the Mawar Saron Legal Aid Institute (LBH).

Meanwhile, the Liquid Organic Fertilizer (POC) workshop targeted local farming groups, providing them with valuable information on agricultural practices. Diesta Atha’ul Naafi and Bian Rafi Safaraz, students from the UNS Environmental Science Program, led the POC workshop in Lencoh Village in collaboration with the Selo Agricultural Extension Center (BPP).

Food aid was distributed to underprivileged villagers, particularly orphans and the needy. All these activities helped strengthen the bond between the volunteers and the local community. UNS Mengajar 2024 had a direct and positive impact on these villages.

Speaking to uns.ac.id on Wednesday (11/9/2024), Nisak Nur Azizah, the Head of UNS Mengajar 2024, stated that the program had successfully made a real contribution to the community in terms of teaching and learning. Nisak, a student from the Chemistry Education Program at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), added that UNS Teaching would continue to improve in the future.

“The UNS Teaching program has successfully achieved its goal of making a real contribution to the community through teaching, learning, and the application of social values. Overall, UNS Teaching is a very positive initiative and has significantly benefited the community. We are committed to enhancing the quality of this program so that it can have a broader and more sustainable impact in the future,” Nisak said.

Arifia Wijayanti, the Head of SD Negeri 2 Genting, praised UNS Mengajar 2024, calling it a commendable effort. She noted that the program inspired schools to become more enthusiastic about learning, with UNS students bringing a fresh dynamic to the schools.

“The children became more enthusiastic and excited about learning. We hope the program’s duration can be extended so that its benefits can have a deeper impact on our students,” Arifia said.

Humas UNS

Reporter: R. P. Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti