Internet Access Boosts Digital Learning in East Flores Schools

Internet access is revolutionizing education in remote Indonesian regions, with East Flores in East Nusa Tenggara now leveraging digital learning, administration, and assessments thanks to improved connectivity. Previously, schools like SMAN 1 Titehena struggled with limited internet, often relying on mobile modems.

Konrardus Kudarto, headmaster of SMAN 1 Titehena, described the school's transformation after receiving Wi-Fi infrastructure support from the Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) of the Ministry of Communication and Digital. "In 2016, when I became headmaster, the village where the school stands was a blank spot, with no signal," Konrardus recalled. "There was only signal in certain places, maybe 4G, maybe above trees. But almost everywhere else was Edge."

The situation improved in 2017 when the school received Wi-Fi equipment from BAKTI Kominfo through iForte. "In 2017, the school received Wi-Fi equipment from Bakti Kominfo, iForte. That greatly helped us in the field," Konrardus stated. The need for connectivity has since grown with the increasing use of digital technology in education, including for learning, reporting, and student assessments.

Konrardus hopes the current infrastructure will be strengthened for optimal use, particularly for assessments like the National Computer-Based Assessment (ANBK) and Teacher Competency Tests. Fadhilah Mathar, President Director of BAKTI, acknowledged these needs, noting that increased connectivity naturally leads to higher demands for network capacity. "We are used to being scolded, in a literal sense, but we consider it something we must accept because of the community's longing for signal," Fadhilah said.