Mother Tongue-based Literacy Programmes: Case Studies of Good ...

Project Site SelectionPreviously, most Kampung Cibago people did notrespect formal education. They did, however, learn toread the Al-Quran and to write in Arabic and ancientSundanese script in a religious institution called a“pesantren.” Not until Indonesia’s independence was a“madrasah Ibtidaiyah” (an Islamic school equivalent toelementary school) built in Kampung Cibago.With a very low functional literacy rate due to very littleaccess to formal education, Kampung Cibago was anexcellent choice as the pilot project site. Other factorswere also considered in choosing the pilot project siteincluding:HealthSome health factors:••••Poor sanitary conditions because most households have no toiletPoor household conditions, as most houses were not well arranged and lacked proper ventilationBad habits of tossing garbage into the river (or any other place they liked)Inaccessibility of a public health centre because the nearest centre is quite a far distance awayEconomySome economic factors :•••Low per capita and irregular cash incomeLimited resources for income generationLong distances to the nearest market placesEducationSome education factors :Low community awareness regarding the need for education••Houses of Cibago people are simple,but do not yet incorporate healthyenvironmental practicesLimited education facilities (public schools); the only available school was hard to access on foot (4kilometers away)• Community misperceptions about education, that education is not an income investment andunnecessary• Low rate of basic education, no participation for children going to middle or high school© BP-PLSP[ 113 ]