Harita Nickel's Learning House Becomes a Literacy Space for Children in Obi
Efforts to improve literacy quality among children in North Maluku’s island region still face challenges in access and educational infrastructure limitations. Amid these conditions, PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL), or Harita Nickel, has introduced informal learning houses for children in the areas surrounding the company’s operations on Pulau Obi, South Halmahera.
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the illiteracy rate for people aged 10 and above in North Maluku has decreased to 1.05 percent in 2026, an improvement from 1.12 percent in 2024. However, North Maluku’s Community Literacy Development Index (IPLM) remains below the national average.
“Through this Learning House, we hope children have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable space for learning while playing,” said Harita Nickel’s Executive Vice President for External Relations, Latif Supriadi, in a press statement on Friday (8/5/2026).
“We also want to help shape children’s characters to be more confident, creative, and wise in using technology,” he added.
The programme is implemented through the Community Empowerment Programme (PPM) in the education sector. One form is the construction of informal learning houses designed as inclusive learning spaces for children and students outside formal school hours.
To date, Harita Nickel has built three learning houses: Rumah Belajar Simore in Gambaru Village, Rumah Belajar Ocimaleo in Ocimaleo Village, and Rumah Belajar Nyinga Moi in Fluk Village, which was inaugurated on 2 May 2026.
This pressure-free learning approach has received appreciation from academics. A psychology lecturer at Muhammadiyah University of North Maluku, Syaiful Bahry, considers such methods important for children’s psychological development.
“Psychologically, children learn most effectively when they feel safe, valued, and unafraid to make mistakes,” Syaiful explained.
“Small spaces like this can become a strong foundation for mental resilience and long-term human development,” he continued.
Harita Nickel’s Learning House programme has also received a positive response from the local community. One student’s parent, Hamsiah Drakel, reported seeing changes in the children after participating in the learning activities.
“Every afternoon, the children come with happy hearts. They not only read but also play and learn together,” she said.
Nadia Abdullah expressed a similar view, hoping the learning houses would help reduce children’s excessive dependence on gadgets.
To date, Harita Nickel’s Learning House programme has benefited around 210 students in the areas surrounding the company’s operations.
The Head of the North Maluku Archives and Library Service, Mulyadi Tutupoho, stated that the learning houses help expand educational access for the community in the island region.
“With complete learning facilities and consistent mentoring, these learning houses provide real support for efforts to enlighten the nation’s life, especially in areas with limited educational access,” he said.
Through facilities such as reading books, educational aids, and learning mentors, Harita Nickel’s Learning Houses are expected to become growth spaces for children while strengthening literacy in North Maluku.
For information, PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL), or Harita Nickel, is part of the Harita Group operating integrated nickel mining and processing on Pulau Obi, South Halmahera, North Maluku. The company has had saprolite nickel smelting facilities since 2016 and limonite nickel processing and refining facilities since 2021.