Enhancing Education: A Story from The Jakarta City Hall

“I move forward for I know I’ll never be alone. There are tons of people who have similar vision to make Indonesia better.” — Farli Sukanto

I started writing this piece with a very mixed feeling. Behind my computer screen, I couldn’t believe what was just happened. But today — two days after the sentence hearing — I chose to continue the mission through celebrating good news, through zooming in into the City Hall of Jakarta.

This story captures Farli Sukanto, the Team Leader for Education Initiatives at The Jakarta City Hall. Admitting how grateful he is for the experience, Farli told me the thrilling adventure taking part in managing education in the capital city — from policy making, strategy creation, and execution in a broader arena.

During our interview, Farli shared his story — from his main driver diving into the education sector, managing his motivation, and his best lesson from working side by side with Ahok.

How would you explain what you do in one sentence?

I do everything that I can do to enhance the equality of education in my country.

What drives you and when did you realize you wanted to do this?

A couple of years ago, I had this one year opportunity to go to a small primary school as a teacher. It’s located in a very remote area in East Rote. There were six study groups in total with only four teachers (including the Principal). For almost the whole day, students could just run around outside the classes since they didn’t have enough teachers. I had been spending my whole education years in private schools in big cities. That was the first time ever I saw the real face of education in Indonesia.

There was one moment that I remember perfectly, it was during the last day of National Final Exams. I accidentally saw, from the classes’ window, that each of my student got a cheating sheet under their test paper. And that was prepared by our School Principal.

I got furious. I reported this case right away, only to realize that I was too naive. Others also got disappointed but not as angry as I was. They felt hopeless for — apparently — they knew how common it was.

Some days after, I gathered my students and explained the reason why I was exploded during their exams. And some of them, even before I said a word, wept in tears.

As kids, students have pure hearts. They instinctively know how to differentiate rights from wrongs. But they had no power. They could only follow their teachers, who acted based on fear that the school might get disbanded if the exam results went under the minimum standard. Since then I realized, more than ever, the importance of a teacher. Wrong teachers create ‘wrong’ generation. On the other hands, with the right teachers, you can build a strong generation, that makes a great nation.

In addition to that, I also believe that character education is way more important than cognitive educations.

When I went home back to Jakarta, I got the opportunity to go back to my previous career, which had been climbing to a relatively stable and promising path. But that particular experience got me questioning what’s essential in my life. What’s truly important for me, what I want to get in this life. Then I realized my strong calling in education arena. I believe that education is the biggest capital and the strongest weapon for a change.

Have you ever had the thought to quit?

My toughest dilemma actually happened in the beginning: whether to continue on my previous career path, or starting a new chapter. Financials was my biggest consideration. In my previous career, I had a stable and fine income. I realized how unstable working in government is. That obviously brought some fear. But in the end, I chose what gives me happiness over making decision out of fear.

Fortunately, I did have clear understanding towards what I feel would be ‘enough’ for me (re: financials). I never want to be a multimillionaire with a castle. I’m thrilled when I can contribute for others’ happiness and society. So after serious and realistic considerations, I just knew: I can do this.

What brings you back when you’re down, what feeds your motivation when things are tough?

We, the young staff in the City Hall, always say, “we need to know how to manage our motivation smartly, or else it’s very likely to feel hopeless in fighting for the country”. Whenever things get rough, I’m able to move forward for I know I’ll never be alone. There are tons of people having similar vision to make Indonesia better. And, again, it’s always back to the faith that it is worth to fight for. I know our hopes and dreams can be achieved — though not within short period of time. But, it must start now.

If you can take a time machine and talk to your 25 year old self, what would be one advice you’d give to him?

In your 20s, you must always reflect on what you do and what you want to do in life. I saw too many example from people who strongly live their career path, they are reflective people. People who ask questions, and have the courage to be honest to themselves: If what you do now is what you truly want to do in life?

With this special opportunity working side by side with Ahok, what is the ultimate lesson you got?

Ahok has this one principle that can’t be shaken by anything. He strongly holds the value of ‘honesty’ and ‘being useful to the people’. That’s what I learned.

People might have this similar principle. But, not everyone could fight for this, consistently, like him. From beginning until the end.

If you enjoyed reading this, please share and recommend it so others can find it. The story was also published in Indonesian, check here to read.

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