Community Learning Center Supports Sustainable Village Development Based on Village SDGs

Abstract

A problem that is quite complicated in the development process is the limited employment opportunities available and the low level of education and skills of the community. Economic, political, social and cultural development cannot be separated from the development of human resources (HR). Human resource development can be carried out through the education sector, both formal and non-formal channels. Education is a basic stage to achieve a more prosperous community life because with education a person can develop their potential so that they can support development starting from the smallest area, namely the village to the country.

The output of education can be seen or felt over a long period of time when compared to development in other fields. This affects the mindset of the community regarding the lack of importance of completing education because it is considered to have no effect on welfare levels. Based on data collected by the village government, the percentage of formal education completion in the community is quite low. Villagers consider education unimportant because its output is not directly proportional to the economic development of their families. Economic factors are the cause of the large number of people who do not complete their education (Syamsuri and Ulfah, 2019).

Children from poor families must be willing to drop out of school to help their families work for income. The community wants to get faster results to overcome poverty, while education is unable to realize this desire so that formal schools are considered unable to answer the problems of community life in the village. The community's need for non-formal education services according to the Directorate of Community Education Development (2012) is growing according to the changing times. One of the non-formal education services in the village is manifested in the form of a Community Learning Activity Center (PKBM) which was formed to answer the needs of the community.

PKBM is one of the institutions engaged in non-formal education which is a follow-up to the idea of the Community Learning Center (CLC) by UNESCO. Institutionally, its pilot in Indonesia under the name PKBM only began in 1998 in line with efforts to expand community educational service opportunities. PKBM has been recognized as a non-formal education institution in the Indonesian Law Number 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education system Chapter VI Article 26 paragraph IV. PKBM is a non-formal education institution that aims to assist the community in the process of improving the economic level of the community through the development of knowledge, attitudes, and skills that are applicable.

The concept of non-formal education based on BAN PAUD & PNF (2019) is short-term in the form of functional abilities for present or future interests by emphasizing the competencies produced. PKBM as a form of non-formal education was established to help improve the economic conditions of the community and eradicate illiteracy and school dropouts. The specific purpose of establishing PKBM is to empower the community, form business groups, and improve the welfare of rural communities. The programs organized are equivalency packages, early childhood education, entrepreneurship education, as well as community reading parks, skills education, life skills, courses, community productive enterprises, business learning groups, counseling, community health education and others. 

PKBM according to Irwan et.al. (2016) which is an educational institution organized outside the formal education system managed by the community itself plays a role in improving community life skills to answer the problems and needs of the community itself, especially those related to developing abilities and skills to improve the quality of life of the community. PKBM must design learning that is applicative, so that it can be functionally used in a shorter period of time. Therefore, the existence of PKBM is one alternative that can be used as a community empowerment step. In addition, PKBM is directed to prepare, improve, and develop Human Resources (HR) in order to have knowledge, skills, attitudes and competitiveness.

PKBM has several objectives to be achieved in its development. According to Kamil (2011) there are three important objectives in the establishment and development of PKBM, namely: (1) empower the community to be able to be independent (empowered), (2) improve the quality of life of the community both in terms of social and economic, (3) increase sensitivity to the problems that occur in the environment so as to be able to solve these problems. In other words, the purpose of the establishment of PKBM is to empower the community both in economic, cultural, and social aspects. So that PKBM encourages community participation in improving the quality of life. Therefore, the establishment of PKBM contributes a lot, especially for underprivileged communities, and experiencing school dropouts, so that they continue compulsory education through equivalency education at PKBM.

PKBM in the region can work together with the Village to achieve its goals to provide access to education, and the Village can also contribute with PKBM in terms of improving non-formal education in the Village. Actually, the Village has provided a lot of non-formal education through various community empowerment and mentoring programs carried out with village funds, and has had an impact on changes in the quality of life and better welfare for village communities. This is in line with the Village Minister Regulation No. 8 of 2022 concerning Priorities for the Use of Village Funds in 2023, villages can utilize village funds to support Village SDGs by providing quality education services (Village SDGs 4), establishing partnerships for village development (Village SDGs 17) which are expected to have an impact on reducing poverty in the village (Village SDGs 1), improving the economy of the village community and equalizing village economic growth (Village SDGs 8). The data needed in developing PKBM can be read from the data collection results of the Village SDGs. In carrying out village development planning (PPD), the preparation of RPJMDesa and RKPDes can use the data from the Village SDGs Data Collection because it includes micro data needed by individuals to community groups, so that the planned budget is right on target.

Law No. 6/2014 on Villages mandates that the purpose of village development is to improve the welfare of village communities and the quality of human life as well as poverty reduction through the fulfillment of basic needs, development of village facilities and infrastructure, development of local economic potential, and sustainable use of natural resources and the environment. Sustainable means that village development to fulfill current needs is carried out without sacrificing the fulfillment of the needs of future generations of villagers.

Improving the quality of human resources of villagers in accordance with village authority, utilizing village funds to support community learning centers. Villages can routinely carry out community empowerment by carrying out routine village training activities, job training and community skills that are expected to bring changes in the quality of life of the village community for the better. Community empowerment through the use of Village Funds is always strived to always involve the community in every village development program, this is also supported by community awareness to actively participate in every activity to utilize village funds. Community participation can be a determining factor in the utilization of village funds. The higher the community participation, the higher the success of the utilization of village funds.

Activities or programs to improve the quality of human resources of villagers implemented by the village by utilizing village funds are in line with the non-formal education activities of PKBM which include life skills education, early childhood education, youth education, women's empowerment education, literacy education, skills education/courses and job training. PKBM can also carry out its activities or consider programs that will be implemented based on recommendations for activities from SDGs Village 4 (quality village education).

The form of synergy between the village and PKBM can be in the form of cooperation in recording out-of-school children, children at risk of dropping out of school and the general public who want to return to school. Another effort, the village through the village fund program provides educational scholarship support in the form of learning needs for its community who are registered as students at the PKBM. For PKBM itself, in addition to preparing the needs during the learning process, it also involves several educators in formal schools to be seconded as equivalency tutors. This cooperation has been noted to have a positive influence on the village community where there were previously people who had dropped out of school, now they have gained access to educational facilities. It is hoped that this non-formal education for village communities can improve their knowledge and skills, thereby improving their quality of life and welfare. Improving the quality and welfare of village communities can have an impact on improving the village economy so that the village economy can grow evenly and development is sustainable.