The wealth of natural resources as pride of Indonesian people has not been able to make this country prosperous. Based on statistics, more than 30 million Indonesians are living in poverty. The main issue that caused Indonesia to remain poor is education, more importantly primary education. This is the main reason for the relative lack of global competitiveness of Indonesian People.
The quality of primary education in Indonesia is related to the quality of Mathematics education quality in primary school. Up until now the quality achievement rate of mathematics education in Indonesia is still below average and even one of he lowest among southeast Asian countries. This is proven by TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), that measure mathematical literacy in various countries in the world. This concern has prompted the Mathematics Study Program of Parahyangan Catholic University to create a program named Komunitas ibu Belajar Matematika / Mathematics Learning Mother Community (IbM).
IbM is a community service program of the Mathematics Study Program aimed at mothers who have children in primary schools. The program that is located in several primary schools around Parahyangan Catholic University’s campus in Ciumbuleuit area has been in action since 2012. During its establishment, the activity was financed by the Directorate of Higher Education through community service grant. The activity involved lecturers and students of the Mathematics Study Program. Based on the response and benefits felt by mothers who are IbM’s members and the primary school partners (SDN Bandung Baru 1 and 2, SDN Ciumbuleuit 1,3,4), the activity was made recurrent with funding from the Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM) and various sponsors.
Through this IbM program, Parahyangan Catholic University wished to help schools to generate students’ interest in learning mathematics, by means of the mothers. The objective can be achieved there is harmonious and continuous between three parties: schools, parents, and students. Generally, mothers are the closest to students and the more frequent asked when there are learning problems at home. Lack of comprehension often made mother and children relation and communication become strained. Through this program, mothers who are waiting for their children at school can be utilized.
Mothers who initially just chat and gossip while waiting for their children to go to school, are moved to the class. Mothers are given material refresher of mathematics in primary schools through tutorial given by lecturers and students of the Mathematics Study Program Parahyangan Catholic University. This method is quite effective due to the important role of mothers in accompanying their children when studying mathematics at home.
Through this program, students of the Mathematics Study Program, can hone their communication soft skill in conveying materials to mothers fluently. Students will get realistic experience on how to prepare and convey material as well as interacting with the mothers in this learning process.
In addition to IbM, the Mathematics Study Program, that is accredited A by the National Board of Accreditation for Higher Education (BAN-PT) also possesses numerous activities that can hone soft skills and leadership such as Mathematics national seminar for junior high and senior high school level in Java, Bali, Sumatra area and routine annual company visit.
The Mathematics Study Program has two Majors, Applied and Industrial mathematics as well as Insurance and Financial Mathematics. Many alumni have worked in various sectors such as industry, Banking, insurance, education, or continuing study locally or internationally.
To fulfill the needs for actuaries in Indonesia in the coming years, Otoritas Jasa Keuangan / Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) has initialized a program to produce 1000 actuaries. There were 336 actuaries in indonesia during 2013.
To fulfill the vacancy, the Mathematics Study Program is currently in the process of cooperating with the Indonesian Life Insurance Association to prepare its students to have a career as actuary when they graduated.
(UNPAR/Dharma Lesmono)
Source: KOMPAS – Griya Ilmu (Tuesday October 13, 2015, “ Mathematics Learning Mother Community”.
