Bandung, September 15, 2025 – Encang Saepudin, M.Si., a lecturer from the Library and Information Science Study Program at the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Padjadjaran University, has initiated educational development in Narawita Village, Cicalengka District, Bandung Regency, by establishing several early childhood education institutions. This program aims to promote educational equity and expand access for children in the area. This concrete step was realized with the establishment of Kober (Playgroup) Mutiara Harapan, TK (Kindergarten) Mutiara Harapan, and the Madrasah Diniyah Takmiliyah Awaliyah (DTA) Al-Mufid.
Kober Mutiara Harapan, which was founded on February 3, 2011, serves children aged 2-4, while TK Mutiara Harapan, founded on August 20, 2021, is for children aged 4-5. Additionally, every afternoon, children can attend religious classes at DTA Al-Mufid. Located in Kampung Bangkonol, RW 05 RT 01, Narawita Village, these institutions have become a hub for teaching and learning activities for local children.
Currently, Kober and TK Mutiara Harapan have a total of 85 students, with 6 teachers and 1 principal. The establishment of these educational institutions was based on two main reasons. First, there was a great opportunity in the early childhood education sector, as many children aged 4-5 did not have access to formal education. The ratio between the population and the number of schools in the village was still imbalanced.
The second reason was the encouragement and support from the Bandung Regency Education Office. The government provided a stimulus in the form of Biaya Operasional Pendidikan (BOP), or Education Operational Costs, per child. The BOP has greatly helped to ease the financial burden on parents, so they do not have to pay large tuition fees. This assistance has also been a great motivation for the school administrators to continue to improve the quality of education.
The main goal of establishing these educational institutions is to provide easy and affordable access to education for young children in Narawita Village. With the Kober, TK, and DTA, children can begin their education from an early age without having to travel long distances. This aligns with the government’s efforts to achieve equitable education even in remote villages.
Through this program, Encang Saepudin, M.Si., hopes that the schools he founded will continue to grow and gain the trust of the community. With easier access to education, it is hoped that the children of Narawita Village will have a strong educational foundation, which will be an important provision for their future. This program demonstrates a strong commitment to building human resources from an early age at the village level.
