Amid the bustling development of the Nusantara Capital City in Sepaku, an inspiring story emerges from a modest classroom at SDN 016 Sepaku.
Indriyani Khoirum Nisa, affectionately called Bu Indri, a fourth-grade teacher who ignites new enthusiasm in her students. Not with grand facilities or advanced technology, but through simple yet powerful steps: nurturing a love for reading and creating a meaningful learning environment.
When Worry Sparks Innovation
At the start of each school year, Ibu Indri noticed many of her fourth-grade students struggled with reading syllables. Change began in September 2024 when she was introduced to formative literacy assessments. These assessments allowed her to see each child’s abilities in more detail—not just identifying who was struggling but also understanding their specific needs. This insight enabled her to implement differentiated instruction, tailoring her teaching strategies to meet each child’s unique requirements.
With training from the INOVASI Program and the use of formative literacy assessments, her students have progressed to composing sentences and writing short reports.
A Reading Corner and Parents’ Collaboration
One of the most impactful innovations is the colourful, comfortable reading corner in her classroom, brought to life through the collective efforts of parents. This initiative transformed recess time into enjoyable reading sessions and strengthened the partnership between teachers and parents.
This initiative was inspired by a Teacher Working Group (Kelompok Kerja Guru, KKG) session, where the concept of a growth mindset was introduced. Inspired by this mindset, Ibu Indri and her fellow teachers embraced continuous experimentation and innovation, shifting their teaching approach to be more inclusive and effective.
The results have been significant. A previously passive parent community became actively involved in supporting the school.
For her, the biggest lesson was the importance of courage. “In the teaching process, we don’t need to be afraid of making mistakes. The important thing is to be brave. If there’s progress, we can improve,” she shared. Today, Ibu Indri’s classroom is more than just a place to learn and read—it’s a literacy hub where literacy blooms and children discover that books are windows to the world. And all of this started with one teacher’s courage to take a step forward.
Support from INOVASI Program and Real Impact
Since 2024, the IKN Authority has partnered with the INOVASI Program to improve foundational literacy and numeracy through inclusive, student-centred, and environmental-cautious learning. The results are evident. The literacy assessment by INOVASI in May 2025 showed an increase in reading comprehension skills —from 52% to 71% at SDN 016 Sepaku.
Bu Indri’s journey proves that meaningful change often begins with small steps—powered by courage, collaboration, and innovation.