Portrait of Education in Syahrir Island Hamlet – Banda Naira, Maluku

Banda Naira is a small town located in Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province, comprising a cluster of islands. There are at least 10 islands dotting this country, renowned for its marine beauty. Of these 10 islands, only seven are inhabited: Ay Island, Rhun Island, Hatta Island, Syahrir Island, Banda Besar, Naira, and Gunung Api Island.

The local population makes their living as fishermen, farmers, entrepreneurs, and civil servants. The sub-district capital is located in Naira. Regarding healthcare access, Banda Naira has one general hospital, one community health center (Puskesmas), and several sub-community health centers (Pustu) spread across several villages. In terms of education, there is one university, three senior high schools, one vocational high school (SMK), and dozens of junior high and elementary schools.

While access to healthcare and education services is relatively comprehensive, this nutmeg-rich country is not free from health and education problems. In reality, there are still toddlers suffering from malnutrition, as well as school-age children who have dropped out of school or are not yet enrolled. Many factors influence health and education issues, including a lack of understanding of the importance of health and education, the gap between home and service centers, and limited living costs. One issue of serious concern and current hot topic is the state of education in Syahrir Island Hamlet.

Syahrir Island is part of Selamon Village, Banda District, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province. This hamlet is separated from the main village of Selamon by being located on its own island. The topography of the island, named after national figure Bung Syahrir, is generally hilly and strewn with coral reefs. Currently, Syahrir Island is only accessible by sea.

Travel from the capital of Maluku Province, Ambon, to Banda District can be reached by two transportation options: sea and air. Sea transportation usually uses passenger ships owned by PT Pelni (Indonesian National University) and pioneer ships. Currently, there are two Pelni ships operating: the KM Tidar, with a travel time of approximately 7–8 hours, and the KM Kelimutu, with a travel time of approximately 11–12 hours. Air travel, however, utilizes commercial aircraft. Both ships and planes from Ambon City only stop at the capital of Banda District, Neira.

To reach Syahrir Island, the journey is continued by speedboat, taking approximately 15 minutes. The residents of Syahrir Island earn their living from their gardens and the sea. In 2013, there were approximately 51 families on Syahrir Island. There are approximately 16 elementary school-aged children, and these 16 children had previously not received education or were not attending school like their peers. This issue was subsequently addressed, and these 16 children are now receiving formal education at a school in the village/home town.

The enthusiasm of the children of Syahrir Island Hamlet for school is slowly beginning to revive. Every day, the 16 children cross the ocean to get to school. However, their enthusiasm is sometimes dampened when the weather is unfriendly. The sea conditions force the children to refrain from seeing their friends or teachers, forcing them to study in a small, community-funded, temporary learning center on the island.

The 5 x 5 meter structure is semi-permanent. The interior of this building, which has produced a golden generation, is devoid of any reading materials. The children of Syahrir Island Hamlet hope only that one day they can be like Bung Syahrir, whose name will live on forever on their island.

Heka Leka, through its Maluku Membaca Program, has begun sending books through Malessy/volunteer (Kak Nana Rohana). The number of books sent to Syahrir Island is still limited, and going forward, Heka Leka, through its support for the Maluku Membaca Program, will regularly send books to Syahrir Island. We hope the Maluku Membaca Program can be the first step in implementing other educational programs and help the community, especially children, gain better access to education.

Support for the community and children on Syahrir Island, whether in the form of books or other forms, can be distributed through Heka Leka and then passed on to the community on Syahrir Island.

Greetings from Smart Maluku.