The Practice of Alternative Education in Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia: Efforts to Educate Human Beings to Be Humanize

Abstract

Education that is currently developing is threatened with losing its main spirit. Education implemented in the form of tiered formal schools, in its development, has denied the humanitarian goals of education. Formal schools have become institutions like banks where students are bank customers who must comply with applicable regulations and systems. In banking style education, humans are molded into homo-academicus who lose their humanity. Recognizing such a situation, several institutions in Purwokerto offer alternative education which aims to give students the opportunity to develop their personal potential and creativity to become superior human beings and able to become citizens in their community. This research is aimed at revealing a more humane education as practiced by alternative education institutions in Purwokerto. This research was carried out using qualitative research methods. Data and information were collected through in-depth interviews with several volunteers, teachers, facilitators and managers at alternative education institutions in Purwokerto. The results of this research show that there are several ways that alternative educational institutions can prevent the occurrence and development of bank-style education. First, education can be achieved by playing. Through games, students can not only learn happily, but also learn to work together with others and respect others. Second, education can be achieved through open dialogue between volunteers/teachers/facilitators and students. In addition, volunteers/teachers/ facilitators encourage students to help each other and love each other. In this way, learning materials are no longer academic problems but rather common problems that must be addressed as a group. Third, the school environment and the natural environment outside the school are places for students to learn. In this way, students learn to explore nature directly on the material they study. Students also have the opportunity to interact directly with community members who deal with nature in their daily lives. This opportunity can foster students' awareness of local community values and norms.