North Central Timor Regency Affirms Commitment to Strengthening Education System in Partnership with STiR Education and Bakti Barito Foundation

Jakarta, November 9, 2023 – A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today to improve the competence of qualified educators across all levels of the education system in North Central Timor Regency and thus improve children's learning outcomes.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the regency by Beato Yosef Frent R. Omenu, S. STP, Head of Education and Culture Office of North Central Timor Regency. It was witnessed by Herdiana, Head of the Centre of Education Quality Assurance (BPMP), East Nusa Tenggara Province and Yoni Nurdiansyah, Executive Director of STiR Education. The MoU was also signed by Dian Anis Purbasari, Director of Bakti Barito Foundation through Yayasan Bakti Pendidikan Unggul (YBPU).

Working within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (MoECRT)’s new Freedom Curriculum – the Kurikulum Merdeka – this five-year partnership will support all educators across the regency by providing training for teachers, principals, and school supervisors, enhancing their competency, and improving their peer network support systems. STiR Education will lead the implementation of the MoU and Bakti Barito Foundation will provide logistical support, monitor and assist the program in line with Indonesian laws and regulations, and improve data management and analysis.

North Central Timor Regency has made strong progress within its educational sector in recent years, indicating a strong commitment to improving the education system within the regency. This new partnership aims to enhance the quality of local education systems and improve learning outcomes of students in the regency.

"Enhancing students' learning outcomes requires collective effort,” said Yoni Nurdiansyah, Executive Director of STiR Education. “Not just from teachers but also from the entire support system around them. When teachers experience a supportive work environment, they are more inclined to improve their teaching practices, ultimately benefiting students."

“Today’s commitment to strengthening education systems is a significant milestone in improving children’s learning outcomes,” said Dian Anis Purbasari, Director of Bakti Barito Foundation. “YBPU is proud to assist STiR and local leaders in ensuring that all educators and officials have a passion for learning and in sharing that love for learning through joy and fun.”

Beyond empowering school supervisors and principals to become instructional leaders and key drivers in the professional learning community, informing government officials at every step of the program ensures the program is sustained within their regency. In doing so, this program lays the foundation for resilient education systems.

“There are three essential components in education: 'hardware,' which is the infrastructure; 'software,' the educational program and curriculum; and, of course, 'brainware,' which encompasses the people — the teachers, principals, supervisors, and the support system around them,” said Beato Yosef Frent R. Omenu, S. STP, Head of Education and Culture Office of North Central Timor Regency, “This partnership is focused on catering to the 'brainware,' and we are excited to work together to ensure that each and every child has access to quality education in the North Central Timor Regency.”

About STiR Education

STiR Education is an international NGO that supports education systems in reigniting intrinsic motivation, ensuring that every child, teacher, and official is motivated to learn and improve. At a practical level, this means we assist governments in rekindling intrinsic motivation among teachers and local officials through teacher networks. Our vision is a world where teachers love teaching, and children love learning. We have been working in Indonesia since 2022 and currently reach 5,503 teachers and 93,939 students across two districts.

About YBPU

YBPU is a non-profit organization under the Bakti Barito Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Barito Pacific Group. YBPU's mission is to accelerate equality in education and support the achievement of the Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, particularly within the operational areas of the Barito Pacific Group.

In January 2022, YBPU established a partnership with STiR Education to enhance its programs and accelerate its missions. The partnership aims to support the education system in rekindling sustainable intrinsic motivation and fostering a love for lifelong learning among all stakeholders at various levels of the education system, including children, teachers, school leaders, supervisors, and coordinator supervisors, while building capacity across all levels.

Media contact: info@baktibarito.com