From Papua to Australia: One Teacher’s Quest to Bridge Educational Gaps

Kalvin Sandabunga's journey from the remote area of Papua to the prestigious halls of Monash University is a powerful testament to education's resilience and transformative potential.

His story began with a scholarship to Universitas Pelita Harapan, where he pursued a degree in Biology Education. Upon graduating in 2012, he returned to Sentani, Papua, a seven-hour flight from the capital of Jakarta, to complete his teaching placement at a local school.

For the first four years of his first career, Kalvin served as an English teacher and STEAM Curricular Coordinator at Sekolah Lentera Harapan. Here, he encountered the immense challenge of implementing Indonesia’s 2013 Curriculum in a setting that bore little resemblance to the urban environments the curriculum was designed for.

"The city-centric curriculum was often at odds with the needs of our students. It underscored the vast disparities in our education system," Kalvin explained.

This realisation drove Kalvin to seek further education and professional development, eventually leading him to explore postgraduate opportunities abroad. 

Pursuing a master's degree in Australia gave him a broader educational perspective and the tools needed to address the systemic issues he witnessed in Papua.

Overcoming Financial Barriers to Pursue the Australia Awards Scholarship

Kalvin's journey took a decisive turn when he attended a sharing session on the Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS), hosted by the AAS Alumni in Papua. Inspired by their experiences, Kalvin was filled with renewed determination to pursue further education.

During the session, Kalvin learned about the unique benefits of the AAS, which offered comprehensive support for awardees, including preparatory classes, of which he had yet to be aware.

"After attending the session, I was highly motivated to apply for the AAS. Despite my busy schedule, I made time to prepare for the application process. I also reached out to several Australia Awards alumni on Facebook or LinkedIn, seeking their insights and advice," Kalvin shared.

Fortunately, many of the alumni responded to his messages and provided valuable guidance that helped strengthen his application.

Kalvin’s research also revealed the diverse range of educational majors Australian universities offer, enabling him to pick the one best suited to his aspirations.

"I was thrilled to be selected as an awardee in 2015. To make an informed decision, I created comparison sheets for different programs at various Australian universities. Eventually, I decided to apply to Monash University," Kalvin explained.

After reviewing multiple education programs, Kalvin found Monash University's curriculum to be the most comprehensive. He enrolled in the masters program in Expert Teaching Practice, which emphasised a holistic approach by integrating educational psychology, research, curriculum development, and teaching methodologies. These aspects matched Kalvin's goals as a researcher and expert educator.

Embracing Opportunities and Life in Australia

During his two years in Australia, Kalvin made the most of his experience by taking on various part-time and volunteer roles. He tutored English and Science at Dandenong High School, specialised in Science at Westall Secondary College, and worked in Special Education at Embrace Education. He also served as an Assistant Coordinator of Outside School Hours Care at Camp Australia.

Kalvin’s dedication and engagement were recognised when he was selected as a Student Ambassador for Monash University’s English Connect program and an Indonesian Language Learning Ambassador for Whitefriars College.

"I saw each opportunity as a chance to broaden my skills. You never know when opportunities like these will come again, so I seized every one of them,” Kalvin shared.

Despite juggling multiple roles, Kalvin maintained a healthy balance between his studies and work commitments, significantly influencing his professional and personal growth. The connections he formed and the new perspectives he gained helped shape his career as a Curriculum Coordinator and Teacher Trainer at Sekolah Dian Harapan in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Kalvin credits his studies in Australia for giving him a broader understanding of global education systems. His coursework at Monash University, particularly a curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment unit, equipped him to tackle the challenges he faced as an educator in Indonesia.

After completing his studies, Kalvin sought new career opportunities and secured the position of Senior School Principal at Sekolah Dian Harapan in Makassar.

"My experience and education in Australia were instrumental in obtaining this new role. As a relatively young principal, I’m excited to introduce fresh ideas and positive changes to the school," Kalvin said.

Kalvin’s time in Australia not only enhanced his career but also broadened his network, opening doors for collaborations and projects. In early 2024, a fellow AAS awardee invited him to join the Australia-Indonesia Disability Research and Advocacy Network (AIDRAN) to help develop educational modules.

Leveraging his expertise as an educator, Kalvin contributed his insights on inclusive education practices. The project focuses on equipping teachers with the skills to integrate technology into inclusive classrooms, making education more accessible for students with disabilities.

"Inclusivity in education is an area I'm passionate about. My experiences in Australia highlighted the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem in public schools," Kalvin reflected. He aims to use his expertise to promote a more equitable and accessible education system in Indonesia.

Kalvin and his team subsequently published a Digital-Based Inclusive Education Guidebook, a collaboration between AIDRAN and the British Embassy. The guidebook focuses on optimising digital technology, particularly for Eastern Indonesia's educators, administrators, and policymakers.

"In this book, we aim to provide strategies and practical steps for educators, especially in utilising digital technology for inclusive teaching," he said.

A New Approach to Inclusive Education

In June 2023, Kalvin enrolled in the MicroCert program, a three-month online course offered by the University of Melbourne in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemdikbudristek).

The course, “Supporting Students with Specific Learning Difficulties, Special Education and Teaching,” provided Kalvin with new tools to address the needs of students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

“Australia has significantly influenced our inclusive education practices. We've incorporated theories and methodologies from the Australian education system, particularly regarding inclusivity,” he shared.

Kalvin's dedication to advancing inclusive education has been recognised by both the government and his school’s foundation. Together with his team, he has been developing policies and creating resources to support teachers. Since 2022, they have published a book on inclusive education, adopted by 41 schools across Indonesia, including those under the Pelita Harapan Education Foundation.

In addition to his work in education, Kalvin has made a mark in the research field. For two consecutive years, the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) selected his papers for the Indonesia Development Forum. He presented in 2019 on “Introducing the Entrepreneurship Curriculum to Enhance High School Graduates’ Entrepreneurial Skills” and in 2021 on “Design Thinking: Integrating Innovation and Empathy in the Classroom”.

"I'm honoured to have been chosen to present my work two years in a row. I've been focusing on the importance of implementing the Design Thinking method in schools. I'm pleased to have received positive feedback on this project," Kalvin said.

Looking ahead, Kalvin’s next goal is to expand his involvement in educational research and publish more journals. In the long term, he hopes to pursue further studies and specialise in inclusive education, continuing his mission to make quality education accessible to all students in Indonesia.