UNS – The student of Chemistry Education Program Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta initiated a free learning house for students affected by Covid-19. This program is initiated by Sofia Oka Rodiana in Becok, Kartoharjo Village RT 32/9, Kartoharjo Sub District, Magetan District in the Covid-19 Community Service Program (KKN) UNS because the pandemic has shifted the teaching and learning program into online.
Sofia stated that one of the reasons for this program is the parent’s anxiety. Long-distance learning requires parents’ attention and a stable internet connection. Many parents complained, including the village government, which captured intensive attention from school. Most of the parents work as a farmer, thus, children are left alone and wandering around without clear learning hours. When children get access to a phone, they play games, open YouTube, and things that are not related to school. Initially, Sofia taught only two children, but then the number increased and reached 30 kids now. This information was conveyed by Sofia to uns.ac.id on Thursday (9/7/2020).
She also stated that the position of her village caused an internet connection to be limited, and thus affect online learning. Everyday Sofia teaches elementary school students for around 4.5 hours.
“It is hard to get signal here, so parents suggest that it is (learning process) to be conducted directly. Besides that, it is also to avoid students from opening YouTube and games that can disturb the learning process. I conducted the activity in Musala Al-Aziz in which I teach three classes for 4.5 hours from 06.00, so each class takes 1.5 hours,” she stated.
Even though conducted offline, but the class applied the health protocol to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The class is not limited to indoor activities but also out-door so that students are not bored. Every Saturday she conducted gymnastics together, and on Sunday they have an outing class by drawing and coloring. Besides tutoring, she also conducted a hand sanitizer production program.
“I also made hand sanitizer from safe chemicals. I used alcohol 70%, glycerin, distilled water, fragrance lemon and strawberry. The hand sanitizer was distributed to the community around my house, especially mosque and musala. Alhamdulillah there was also help from UNS through the Covid-19 volunteer activities so that it could ease my steps,” she stated.
Besides assistance from UNS, Field Supervisor (DPL), Dr. Deny Tri Ardianto also plays a significant role in supporting the program. Sofia considers that KKN in hometown makes students to be more familiar, understand the village better, and improve relationships with the community. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
