Putri Lestari: Empowering Teachers to Redefine Indonesian Education
In the wide world of education, Putri Lestari stands out. Not just the Head of Content at GovTech Edu, her influence resonates profoundly in the educational community. A chat with her reveals an inspiring journey that started in her childhood, deeply influenced by her mother, a school principal.
Her first teaching job on Bawean Island in East Java made her realize the true value of quality teachers. She believes teaching isn’t just about passing on information but helping students think and learn for themselves. With this in mind, she set her sights on empowering educators.
Driven by her dedication to uplifting teachers, Putri sought further academic enrichment. Thanks to the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, she immersed herself in the ‘Adult Education for Social Change’ program at four prestigious European institutions. This path not only enriched her expertise but also solidified her belief in the societal impact of transformative adult education.
Before GovTech Edu, Putri’s career was broad and fulfilling. She worked on community and school projects with both local governments and private sectors. Partnering with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (MoECRT), she played a role in launching the successful Guru Penggerak Program for future school leaders. And she didn’t stop there. Putri co-founded SabangMerauke, a well-known national initiative teaching young people about diversity.
At GovTech Edu, Putri marries her love for education with her expertise in designing learning experiences for adults, particularly teachers. Her dedication shines, making her an inspiration for many.
Challenges in Indonesian Education and Teacher Training
Indonesia, with its vast geographical landscape, presents unique educational challenges. Coupled with the task of catering to over 4 million teachers, providing consistent training becomes a daunting endeavor. The Ministry attempted to bridge this gap by introducing a cascading training approach. However, as information passed from one trainer to another, inconsistencies emerged, affecting the quality of the training.
Moreover, not every teacher could benefit from this cascading model. Teachers relied on selections made by their headmasters or supervisors to attend these sessions. This setup further limited their opportunities for professional development.
Technology as the Solution: PMM and Putri Lestari’s Vision
Recognizing these limitations, Putri Lestari championed the use of technology with the Platform Merdeka Mengajar (PMM) app. Her aim? To restore the autonomy of learning to every teacher. By leveraging the PMM platform, she’s making strides in democratizing access to consistent, quality education for all educators across Indonesia.
“This newfound autonomy empowers teachers to take charge of their professional growth, fostering a strong sense of ownership and dedication to their craft,” Said Putri
Putri Lestari envisioned a unique collaboration for the Platform Merdeka Mengajar (PMM) app. Instead of teachers being mere users, she wanted them to be contributors. Thus, more than 300 educators, alongside Putri’s team, actively crafted content for the PMM, ranging from lesson plans to demonstrative videos and practical articles. Through this approach, Putri didn’t just offer a finished product to teachers; she involved them in the creation process, empowering them every step of the way.
This collaborative approach serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it empowers teachers, giving them a platform to share and amplify their expertise. On the other, it fosters a sense of ownership and communal responsibility. Ultimately, Putri aspires for the PMM to be a tool that is owned and driven by the teachers themselves, transitioning its guardianship from solely being a MoECRT’s initiative to being a collective treasure of the teaching community.
Future of Teaching and Learning
Putri is confident in the direction Indonesian education is heading. With the introduction of the Platform Merdeka Mengajar, the autonomy of learning has been rightfully restored to teachers, allowing them to thrive. Furthermore, the “Kurikulum Merdeka” empowers schools with the flexibility to adapt their operational curriculum, tailoring it to the specific needs of their students and the unique circumstances of each school.
Building upon this progress, Putri firmly believes that for enduring improvements in student learning, a robust ecosystem of technology, policy, and collective collaboration is essential. She views technology as the vital element: accelerating the establishment of this ecosystem, streamlining its processes, and ensuring its reach from Sabang to Merauke. In her quest to drive this transformation, Putri took on the role of Head of Content at GovTech Edu. “Educational transformation is a long process that must be continuously fought for,” says Putri.
