Kupang City, CAKRAWALANTT.COM – The
situation of Thesis Examination Room of The Special Education Program (PLB)
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Department (FKIP) San Pedro
University Kupang, Saturday (5/12/2020) that afternoon seemed so quiet. Without
being awkward, Maria Ilona Triestta confidently left her seat to the stage of
presentation when she got a chance to answer some questions from the examiners.
Maria
Ilona Triestta who is commonly known as Ilona was born in February 5th ,
1995. This twenty-six years old girl defended on her thesis, “Meningkatkan Kemampuan Membuat Kalimat Sederhana
(SPOK) dengan Menggunakan Kartu Kata pada Siswa Kelas IV Tunarungu SDLB Asuhan
Kasih Kupang, ProvinsiNusa Tenggara Timur”.
By moving her hands while speaking as best as she could, the daughter of the
couple Mr. Marsel Robot and Mrs. Petronela J. explained the answers that she
has prepared in a typed form. Nelci Therik, S.Pd., M.Pd., further explained the
meaning of Ilona’s answer.
Despite
her deaf, Ilona became the first student who was responsible for her thesis in
her university. This hearing impairment was not a barrier for her to accomplish
all of the process of her education in this institution, so that at the end,
she could join the 15 advanced top people in Thesis Examination of PLB, FKIP
San Pedro University of Kupang City. Surprisingly, she could achieve 93 as the
best score of her generation.
“Ilona
takes image media because the ears of deaf people has moved to their eyes, said
her. Furthermore, she added that we, as deaf people listen through eyes.
Writing a thesis is indeed hard, but I am proud that I am able to help the
other deaf children to make a simple sentence in Sekolah Dasar Luar Biasa
(SDLB) Asunan Kasih.”
She completed her thesis under the guidance of her two supervisors such as 1, Nelci Therik, S.Pd.,M.Pd., and Theodorus Mario De Robert, S.Pd., M.Pd. Within OtBil Wilson Selan, S.Psi.,M.Si, as the moderator, Ilona successfully did her thesis examination in front of Alexius Andiwatif, S.Fil., M.Si., and Drs. VinsensiusWangge, M.Pd.
The result of the
research demonstrated that there was an improvement to compose simple sentence
by students at SDLB Asuhan Kasih Kota Kupang using cards. Besides, the use of
card also increased the enthusiasm of students, attention, and liveliness in
the classroom. Based on the conclusion, there were two suggestions such as (1)
The teachers of SDLB Asuhan Kasih Kota Kupang can use cards as one of the media
to increase students’ ability to compose simple sentence. The use of cards are
also recommended for the teachers in creating excitement and happiness of
students to motivate them in learning process; (2) The next research is suggested to find another media that can
be applied in learning Indonesian Language for students of SDLB Asuhan Kasih.
Disability Children Have
Potential
The
Head of PLB Program in San Pedro University and also Ilona’s advisor, Nelci Therik,
S.Pd.,M.Pd., revealed that disability children have a big potential inside
themselves to achieve a higher education. However, most of them have no
confidence and support from the environment. The success of Ilona has proved
that disability children conquer this as long as they get supports with kinds
of methods and an appropriate approach.
“They
have encouragement to get a higher education but most of them are not
confident, and have limit of supports. Luckily, Ilona’s parents are the best,
even though their daughter has limitation, they always support her toward her
college life. So, through her story, it can be a proff that the other
disability children also have a big potential to get a higher education. Maybe
for Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), it is invisible, but for me who studied in
Bandung, my professor was blind. In Java, the development of special education
is very big. That is what I regret why it is not like that in NTT even though
it’s part of government program and there are a lot of special education in
Kota Kupang. In the future, if you see children with special needs in society,
do not be taken lightly because they actually have potential. Therefore, we
have to build a supportive environment.”
Regarding
the learning process and the final guidance for Ilona, Nelci admitted that
there was a communication problem at the beginning but with the adjustment
process it was finally successful. Disability children require a repetitive
process in learning.
“Being
the first batch in this department, Ilona was the only one who has a hearing
impairment among 15 students. From this, we can say that the role and
corporation of parents are important so that they can be the second teacher for
their child. Take a look at mother’s role. So, I write, record, and when I get
back home, it can be repeated. For the hearing impairment, the information
cannot only be listened once. In addition, general and sign language vocabulary
are also limited. Moreover, writing a scientific paper is difficult. Not all
words in this scientific work are in sign language. Only everyday language. So
we need to repeat all of the observations and interviews," she explained.
In
her parents’ sight, the success of Ilona was a heartwarming pride. Indeed there
was doubts at the beginning, but there is compassion at the end. Therefore, an
expression of gratitude goes to San Pedro University that has shown its concern
for disability children.
“The
success of Ilona is actually a heartwarming pride. We ushered her into the exam
room doubtfully and went back with a great compassion. In my opinion, this
success is also a claim that children with special needs can enjoy education
and have a brighter future. They often live in a social environment that
marginalizes them. As if children with disabilities cannot reach the moon up
there. I deeply say thanks to San Pedro University which has opened this
department. This university really cares about teachers and teacher candidates
for children with disabilities. Thousands of children with disabilities are
neglected and do not get proper education. Just to quote Ilona's motto in her
thesis, limitations are the advantages that God has entrusted to me," said
her father, Marsel Robot.
News
& Photos: Robert Fahik
Transleter:
Ira Luik
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