Fulfilled Longing: The Struggle of a People's School Teacher's Homecoming Journey in the Anambas Islands

Mudik has become an annual tradition for Indonesian society during Eid al-Fitr. Many people undertake this tradition to celebrate the special moment with their families in their hometowns.

A similar longing is experienced by Pandu Dewa Putra, a 26-year-old teacher from Batam at the Integrated People’s School (SRT) 12 in the Anambas Islands, Riau Islands Province. The man appeared enthusiastic about mudik to celebrate the Lebaran moment with his family.

Understandably, since first being assigned to the Anambas Islands, he has never returned home at all. Dewa said there is a difference felt in this journey compared to previous years’ mudik.

“The comparison is very stark. This is my first mudik while already working,” said Dewa in a written statement on Friday (20/3/2026).

Dewa revealed that becoming a guidance counsellor at SRT 12 Anambas Islands is his first job since graduating from university. Before joining the People’s School, he applied for teaching positions at several private schools in Batam and offered private tutoring at his home.

The private tutoring provided by Dewa targeted primary and secondary school children in the area around his house.

“Teaching the basics, like reading and counting,” he said.

After hearing about job openings for teachers at the People’s School, he tried his luck. His efforts paid off. He passed and became a guidance counsellor placed at SRT 12 Anambas Islands.

Dewa explained his reason for applying as a People’s School teacher is because this free education programme aims to help children from poor and extremely poor families. He contributes to that process.

The graduate of Ahmad Dahlan University in Yogyakarta admitted that this year’s mudik feels different because he is more enthusiastic about returning home. Dewa recounted that the geographical location of the Anambas Islands, mostly surrounded by sea, made it difficult for him to get a ticket home to Batam.

Initially, he tried to buy a Pelni ship ticket, but there was no suitable departure time. He then sought tickets for fast ferries from Anambas Islands to Batam. However, the fast ferry tickets sold out in an instant.

The same happened with flight tickets. Nevertheless, his hope to mudik and celebrate Lebaran with his family in Batam was realised.

“In the end, I just prayed to the One above, hopefully there would be an additional ferry. And there was,” Dewa revealed.

Dewa said he had to endure a journey of nearly 12 hours to reach his hometown. The journey began by speedboat from Anambas Islands to the islands’ capital, Tarempa on Siantan Island, taking about 15 minutes. It was then continued by ferry to Batam for 10 hours.

“From the port to home, another 50 minutes by land,” he explained.

Another difference Dewa felt in this year’s mudik is that he returned home bringing many stories about the People’s School. Especially regarding the hopes of his students that are being built with hard work.

“I am very happy when my students from underprivileged families can finally go back to school; their enthusiasm to pursue their dreams is so great,” he said.

Dewa hopes that someday President Prabowo Subianto and Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf can visit SRT 12 Anambas Islands.

“I hope Mr President Prabowo and Mr Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf can come to the Anambas People’s School to check on our conditions here in northern Indonesia,” he concluded.