Mudik has become an annual tradition for Indonesian society during\nEid al-Fitr. Many people undertake this tradition to celebrate the\nspecial moment with their families in their hometowns.<\/p>\n
A similar longing is experienced by Pandu Dewa Putra, a 26-year-old\nteacher from Batam at the Integrated People\u2019s School (SRT) 12 in the\nAnambas Islands, Riau Islands Province. The man appeared enthusiastic\nabout mudik to celebrate the Lebaran moment with his family.<\/p>\n
Understandably, since first being assigned to the Anambas Islands, he\nhas never returned home at all. Dewa said there is a difference felt in\nthis journey compared to previous years\u2019 mudik.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe comparison is very stark. This is my first mudik while already\nworking,\u201d said Dewa in a written statement on Friday (20\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n
Dewa revealed that becoming a guidance counsellor at SRT 12 Anambas\nIslands is his first job since graduating from university. Before\njoining the People\u2019s School, he applied for teaching positions at\nseveral private schools in Batam and offered private tutoring at his\nhome.<\/p>\n
The private tutoring provided by Dewa targeted primary and secondary\nschool children in the area around his house.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeaching the basics, like reading and counting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
After hearing about job openings for teachers at the People\u2019s School,\nhe tried his luck. His efforts paid off. He passed and became a guidance\ncounsellor placed at SRT 12 Anambas Islands.<\/p>\n
Dewa explained his reason for applying as a People\u2019s School teacher\nis because this free education programme aims to help children from poor\nand extremely poor families. He contributes to that process.<\/p>\n
The graduate of Ahmad Dahlan University in Yogyakarta admitted that\nthis year\u2019s mudik feels different because he is more enthusiastic about\nreturning home. Dewa recounted that the geographical location of the\nAnambas Islands, mostly surrounded by sea, made it difficult for him to\nget a ticket home to Batam.<\/p>\n
Initially, he tried to buy a Pelni ship ticket, but there was no\nsuitable departure time. He then sought tickets for fast ferries from\nAnambas Islands to Batam. However, the fast ferry tickets sold out in an\ninstant.<\/p>\n
The same happened with flight tickets. Nevertheless, his hope to\nmudik and celebrate Lebaran with his family in Batam was realised.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the end, I just prayed to the One above, hopefully there would be\nan additional ferry. And there was,\u201d Dewa revealed.<\/p>\n
Dewa said he had to endure a journey of nearly 12 hours to reach his\nhometown. The journey began by speedboat from Anambas Islands to the\nislands\u2019 capital, Tarempa on Siantan Island, taking about 15 minutes. It\nwas then continued by ferry to Batam for 10 hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the port to home, another 50 minutes by land,\u201d he\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Another difference Dewa felt in this year\u2019s mudik is that he returned\nhome bringing many stories about the People\u2019s School. Especially\nregarding the hopes of his students that are being built with hard\nwork.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very happy when my students from underprivileged families can\nfinally go back to school; their enthusiasm to pursue their dreams is so\ngreat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dewa hopes that someday President Prabowo Subianto and Social\nMinister Saifullah Yusuf can visit SRT 12 Anambas Islands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope Mr President Prabowo and Mr Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf\ncan come to the Anambas People\u2019s School to check on our conditions here\nin northern Indonesia,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fulfilled-longing-the-struggle-of-a-peoples-school-teachers-homecoming-journey-in-the-anambas-islands-1774018275", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }