APSIG Newsletter

Making a difference in Flores and West Timor

A project to develop small collections of books in selected village schools in Flores and West Timor has been undertaken since 2002 by the Canberra-based NGO, Nusatenggara Association (NTA-East Indonesia Aid), in conjunction with local Indonesian NGOs. The areas in which the project is implemented are among the poorest in the whole of Asia and right on Australia's doorstep.

The project has two aspects. Firstly, providing small collections of textbooks and reading material in the Indonesian language. Secondly, the provision of basic training in library management for primary school teachers. Progress, measured by Australian standards, is slow, but the staff of the schools remain committed and enthusiastic and despite an unbelievable lack of financial resources, it is possible to see advances in the collections and the services which are available. Particularly in Flores, where training has been in place longer and more consistently, it is now possible to see rows of well-cared for, labelled, and catalogued books proudly standing on specially made bookshelves. Small card catalogues exist and basic loan systems are in place. Students are permitted to borrow books and take them home for up to three days at a time.

Fig: Kopong village school Teacher/librarian Ibu Eka and student helpers Klarita and Rini.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the progress is the enthusiasm of senior children to work as library assistants. Training on Flores is undertaken by the Head Librarian of the Catholic Seminary at Ledalero, outside of Maumere, Mr. Stef Meo. This Seminary is a tertiary educational institution and one of the largest Catholic seminaries in the world. "Pak Stef", as he is known, has conducted courses for the teachers at his own institution, as well as visiting the schools to provide on-the-job training.

At top: Watuwitir Village school - Teacher /librarian, headmistress and students who assist in the library. Bottom: Liwubao village school, Sikka Flores beginning a village library

Formal training in West Timor only commenced in 2006, so progress there is less advanced. Mr. Frans Wayan, the Head Librarian at the Catholic University Widya Mandira in Kupang has provided one training session over two days to teachers from 13 schools on the island of Semau and to 8 schools in South Central Timor. Here it is obvious that these primary school teachers in remote villages still have a lack of understanding of the concept of libraries and any familiarity with the use of libraries. Far from imagining these schools could be linked by computers to the Internet or make use of automated catalogues, many of these schools still do not have electricity.

One of the real issues of any development assistance program is how to ensure the progress is sustainable. Teachers, the P&C members and other stakeholders are being taught to gradually bear the costs of library maintenance and development themselves. In this way, the libraries will continue to grow and the embryonic collections that exist will not end up just as dusty, decaying piles of unused, out of date material. (George Miller)