Education is an asset for children to run their life so that many parents sent their children to get education in formal or non-formal institutions. However, a lot of discrepancies are found at schools, particularly in terms of teacher quality. Noticing the fact, American Corner (Amcor) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) conducted Educamp 2018 to raise awareness of being quality teachers.
At the seminar on ‘Empowering Youth for Sustainable Education’ organized on Saturday (29/12) at Amcor of UMY, Director of Amcor of UMY Puthut Ardianto, S.Pd., M.Pd. stated that sustainable education is a need for the future of children and this nation.
“Children are generations of this nation so that they deserve good education at either formal or non-formal schools. One of the issues in education is that not all educational institutions have equal quality. For instance, quality among the best schools, schools in central towns, and schools in remote areas. The problem often becomes a barrier for parents and children to provide quality education” declared Puthut.
Enhancing educational quality is a means of resolving the issue. “Sustainable and equal quality education should be provided. Besides, students who are interested in being teachers should broaden their horizons so that they can be quality teachers and inspire their children,” emphasized Puthut.
Furthermore, a speaker at the seminar Laily Amin Fajriyah, M.Pd. conveyed that quality teachers are ones who inspire others. “They are able to embolden their children to be better individuals. There are several aspects which teachers should carry out when interacting with students. First, they have to possess and develop their and children’s high enthusiasm for learning. Teachers should also have roles as students’ needs such as a friend parent, facilitator, advisor, and role model,” she explained.
Fajriyah, a teacher at SMPN 5 Panggang, Gunung Kidul, maintained that teacher should improve their quality besides their learning methods. “Teachers should broaden their horizons, for example, doing a reflective teaching and engaging in communities enabling them to be more innovative. You may not be afraid when you have to compete and challenge yourself to do something new since it will expand your insights,” she recommended.
