Using Folktales to Strengthen Literacy in Papua

Abstract

Rural and remote Papua and West Papua are among the most important regions for Indonesia to achieve the second MDG on primary education with equity. Both provinces have gross, net enrolment and literacy rates which barely touch the national averages. Given the distinct political, socio-cultural, and geographical aspects of Papua and West Papua from the rest of the country, central government provides greater autonomy for local policies. In that light, Papua and West Papua have launched the Affirmative Education Policy Document which outlines key strategies to increase access and quality for indigenous Papuans and population in rural and remote areas.

A fundamental concern about the quality of education, acknowledged in the policy document is the high rate of illiteracy among indigenous Papuans and population in rural and remote areas. A number of recent reports confirm the high illiteracy levels and reiterate the concern that illiteracy rates are not only high among rural and remote out-of-school school children and youth but also among children enrolled in primary schools.

A number of factors have been identified as contributing to illiteracy rates and poor education attainment in basic education for children in Papua and West Papua. They include: low quality pre and in-service teacher trainings, acute teacher absenteeism, and infrequent and poor supervision of schools and teachers. An additional significant and challenging factor is the serious lack of teaching and learning materials that reflect indigenous Papuan realities or build on the local-context in the creation of primary school literacy programs. This last factor has been said to create an environment where children (new learners) feel alienated from the materials presented with low motivation to learn. Because the current literacy materials for the early grades are predominantly non indigenous and generically Indonesian many young indigenous Papuan children are becoming disengaged from early learning, dropping out or just moving through school classes but not mastering literacy (and numeracy skills) and never realizing their learning potential or their right to an education. More recent programmes generated through partnerships with different organization have recognized this significant gap in context appropriate materials and explored and implemented new models and approaches that show some potential for positive change.

One such initiative has been the development and distribution children books built around native and indigenous local folklores. This development although targeted to specific rural and remote areas has been warmly welcomed by teachers, community leaders, education department officials and children alike. The local books have helped teachers increase children motivation and more importantly their ability to read firstly through developing an appreciation of their own culture and local language. The development of these locally written and beautifully illustrated books is seen as a first step in developing little children‘s literacy first in their own language in line with the education literature. The inclusion of mother tongue books materials and approaches is intended to increase children‘s chance to become literate and skilled adults with a strong sense of identity and pride as both Papuan and Indonesian. Papua and West Papua have more than 270 local languages very rich in folklores that have been passed down verbally through generations. A move to an Indonesian only education early grade language programme would threaten not only years of tradition but the future learning opportunities of many young Papuan children. With more systematic support from local and central governments and stakeholders, this more inclusive and innovative literacy work could lead into a larger movement that contributes significantly to improving literacy rate in Papua.

This paper explores a specific local literacy project and its broader implications for improving rural/remote literacy programs. The paper reviews and makes recommendation for how a more culturally and contextually appropriate literacy programme can be a key strategies to strengthen rural and remote Papuan literacy program as a fundamental requisite for quality primary education.