TIF Highlights: December 2024 to February 2025

Quarterly Update

Annual Report Published

Our most recent Annual Report has just been published. In it we highlight the impact of our work across our three key pillars - Learning Centers, Teacher Training, and Community Outreach. The report features compelling case studies that share the personal stories of students, parents, and local teachers who have benefited from our programs. It has been an incredible year, and we are proud of all we’ve achieved with the support of our funders, partners, and community. If you would like to read it, you can download the full report here.

Learning Centre Activities: Me and My Community

At our Learning Centres this quarter, the theme has been ‘Me and My Community’, guiding children through engaging topics such as ‘Adventures in Wellness’ and ‘Fun & Enjoying Life’.

In Adventures in Wellness, students explored the “superpowers” of a healthy lifestyle, learning how good habits contribute to their overall well-being. Meanwhile, Fun & Enjoying Life focused on self-awareness, helping children identify their strengths and develop a positive sense of self. A highlight was the collaborative talent show, where students demonstrated sportsmanship, emotional regulation, and teamwork. Another memorable activity involved crafting with reusable materials found around the centre, which encouraged open-ended discussions and greater student engagement.

Throughout the term, our team also welcomed valuable feedback from advisors Pima and Manager Gontor during class visits and observation sessions. These moments not only affirmed our commitment to quality teaching but also inspired meaningful reflection among the team, who showed strong enthusiasm for continuous improvement.

The Magic of Happiness with Evolve Performing Arts

In February, the Evolve team traveled to Bintan for their quarterly workshop with our students. Aligned with our classroom theme, Fun & Enjoying Life, the workshop was titled The Magic of Happiness. 

The drama performance was a joyful exploration of emotions and the power of positivity, brought to life by students through songs, dance, and storytelling. Divided into groups like The Sunny Ones, The Smilers, and The Cloudy Ones, students expressed how happiness, kindness, and laughter can transform even the grumpiest character. Through engaging scenes, interactive games, and upbeat dances—including “Can’t Stop the Feeling”—the performance emphasized that joy is contagious and strengthens us all. The day culminated in a vibrant show that left everyone smiling and reminded us that happiness is something we can all share.

140 of our high-grade students from 3 learning centers attended, which is over 90% of our enrolled students in this area. We were also delighted to see 85 parents joining to witness their children's performances and five of our alumni helping to organise and manage the session. 

Parent Info Days

This quarter, we hosted our biannual parent session to share student progress, distributing 550 carefully reviewed reports. Each report was developed by learning facilitators and subjected to a thorough two-step review process by our consultant to ensure both accuracy and quality. Our goal is to help parents understand their child's progress and our program. Parents also participated in a session on the 4Cs (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity) to gain a deeper understanding of how these skills are integrated into their children's learning.

Sports Day

We hosted sports days across three different locations, allowing for all our learning centres to participate. The days were a great success with 418 students, 232 parents and 5 alumni getting involved. It was especially encouraging to see the unexpected yet enthusiastic participation of parents, many of whom attended to support their children despite not being formally invited.

Learning Farm at Kebun Reja

Kebun Reja, Nikoi and Cempedak Islands’ farm in Kawal, welcomed 42 students this quarter for a field trip to foster their understanding of gardening and planting. The activity aimed to increase students’ awareness of the practices for personal and environmental health. Throughout the session they engaged actively, asking questions such as, what permaculture is, what’s the benefit of composting, and why it is better to not use chemical ingredients for gardening.

Local Primary Teacher Training in Lingga and Bintan

Our recent Local Teacher Training (LTT) initiatives have continued to support primary school educators in Lingga and Bintan, enhancing their teaching strategies and engagement. In December, we conducted an online follow-up session for Lingga teachers, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing and reflection. Despite challenges with online engagement, 30 teachers participated, with 14 presenting their experiences. Learning from this, we adapted our approach when we conducted the training in Bintan by integrating follow-up discussions directly into in-person training, increasing interaction and participation.

In January, our Bintan training sessions focused on the Merdeka Curriculum and literacy and numeracy skills. Over 40 teachers participated in structured workshops that guided them in developing learning objectives, assessment strategies, and project-based activities. They engaged in hands-on simulations, collaborative discussions, and peer feedback sessions, strengthening their capacity to create more effective and engaging learning experiences.