UNICEF partnered with Yayasan Daya Kreasi Anak Bangsa (Markoding) to implement a 21st century skills development programme, aimed at empowering adolescents through the use of innovative learning models. The programme was focused on the most disadvantaged adolescents, to empower them with skills to fulfill their potential through increased access to high quality and relevant learning opportunities. Through this programme, adolescents were assisted in developing 21st century skills to help them identify issues that matter to them and co-develop digital solutions to tackle those problems. The program was engaging public schools, madrasahs, community-based learning centers (Pusat Kegiatan Belajar Masyarakat or PKBM), other education institutions, and government partners as well as entrepreneurs and other private sector partners to implement skills building training. 

 

The programme has reached 5,256 adolescent girls and boys from 126 schools in two locations, i.e.: DKI Jakarta Province and Semarang City. These adolescents were given a challenge to find and create a digital and innovative adolescent-led solution to voice their ideas, thoughts, and aspirations regarding the issues affecting them. The programme was designed as a co-curricular activity to provide alternative ways for adolescents to learn and develop relevant skill sets. Through additional specialized skills training and mentoring provided by mentors, adolescent girls and boys were also supported to develop their ideas in a team, learn new skills, and digitize their solutions. The programme has benefitted 289 teachers, who participated in teacher workshop as part of the programme to build their understanding and problem-solving skills to better support adolescents. Relevant workshops were provided to selected teachers to support their role as facilitators for adolescents, including facilitation skills and basic digital tools utilization.  

 

The study applied remote data collection technique via self-assessment (Google Forms with unique ID to access dedicated online form for each target student respondent) and Zoom meetings for the key informant interviews and Focus Groups. The study collected data from 459 program beneficiaries (students from DKI Jakarta and Kota Semarang), 30 teacher interviews, 26 program mentor interviews, 20 parent interviews, 4 local government interviews, 5 national governments, and 8 private sector representatives. Two FGDs were conducted attended by 6 program beneficiaries from DKI Jakarta and seven from Kota Semarang.