“Literacy is not just about recognising letters but about nurturing a love of reading from the very first time a child steps into school.” This belief belongs to Noerbaeti Setianingsih, warmly known as Ibu Nining.
At a small madrasah—MI Assuniyah III in Cirebon—every morning, Bu Nining greets 47 bright little faces, some of whom don’t even recognise letters yet. The challenge is huge, but her passion is greater.
Since 2018, she has dedicated herself to teaching first graders—a class often called the most challenging, yet the most crucial.
The Challenge of Teaching First Grade
Teaching first grade means guiding children who come straight from kindergarten and are in the process of adjusting to the higher academic demands of elementary school. Some can already read fluently, while many cannot even recognise letters. “At first, I doubted whether I could handle them, especially now with the current curriculum, children are expected to be able to read starting from the first grade, whereas in kindergarten reading is not mandatory,” said Ibu Nining.
She manages to find new strategies: grouping students by their reading level, scheduling extra lessons after class, and working closely with an assistant teacher so every child receives attention.
“For me, these children are entrusted to my care by their parents. I am committed to supporting them to the best of my capacity, regardless how many students I have,” she said.
Her turning point came after joining an INOVASI training that introduced levelled reading assessments. She realised that reading is no longer simply about “can or cannot read,” but there are clear steps: from letters, to syllables, to words, and finally sentences.
“Before, I just taught reading straight away. After learning this assessment, I can map each of their skills—who’s still at the letter stage, who’s at syllables. It’s much more structured,” she explained.
With this approach, Ibu Nining began mapping her students’ reading abilities carefully. The result? In just one month, the number of children who couldn’t read was cut in half!
Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era
This year’s International Literacy Day theme, “Promoting literacy in the digital era,” resonates strongly in Cirebon. Despite limited internet access, she never gave up. She prints materials from her phone, borrows books from neighbours, and even turns everyday objects into learning tools. For her, every child deserves a wider “window” to see the world.
This International Literacy Day, we honour teachers like Ibu Nining who reminds us that literacy can flourish in the humblest classrooms. They are the true champions of literacy, lighting the path of knowledge in the hearts of Indonesia’s children.
What was your own journey to learning how to read? Which teacher left the biggest mark on your life? Share your story in the comments!