Out of the BOKS Teacher for Active and Healthy Students

The implementation of BOKS project in an elementary school in South Central Timor Regency has begun since November 2023, thanks to Ibu Elan. The 20-year-old woman plays a dual role as a homeroom teacher and PE (Physical Education) teacher due to the limited number of teachers at the school. Without complaining and with full joy, Ibu Elan has succeeded in creating a fun and highly anticipated PE learning for the children. 

"When I first participated in the BOKS activity, I felt that BOKS made a very extraordinary change in PE lessons. In the past, I saw that the children lacked enthusiasm and were only fixated on boring material. But after attending the BOKS training, I started designing more enjoyable PE lessons," she said. The BOKS project, a collaboration between WVI and Sun Life, did not change but strengthened the PE materials. The children were also trained cognitively in addition to getting more enjoyable physical activities. They are also taught about healthy and balanced nutrition. 

Ibu Elan is a young teacher who is known for her creativity. She also famous for her high enthusiasm in learning new things and not stingy in sharing her knowledge. Even though she is still young, a high school graduate who is thriving to become a bachelor's degree, and works as an temporary teacher, her spirit to help children become a strong and healthy generation does not diminish. Ibu Elan even gets incredible support from her fellow teachers. 

"Ibu Elan is creative and intelligent. It is a blessing for us to have a teacher as great as Ibu Elan at our school. For BOKS activities, we are very confident that she is capable and will definitely have an extraordinary impact on the children and the school as well," said Ibu Dina, the principal. 

Currently, the elementary school where Ibu Elan teaches has entered the third week of implementing BOKS. This program is carried out for all students from grades one to four, totaling 69 children. 

"What motivates me and makes me enthusiastic in running BOKS is because when I first entered this elementary school, there were many things that the children did not understand about PE. Even for simple movements, they couldn't do it. There was a feeling of laziness and fear," she said. She then took the initiative to change the mindset of children about the benefits of exercise. "After attending the BOKS training, I tried to combine BOKS and PE materials to teach the children and I managed to make the children more enthusiastic about exercising because there are many new things they get," she said. 

Through BOKS activities, Ibu Elan also realized that the implementation is very easy and can be done by anyone. Whatever their background, teachers, assistants, facilitators, and regardless of their age, they can replicate the BOKS materials. Guaranteed, the children will be more interested in PE activities because the materials are fun and healthy at the same time.

Author: Maria Iknasia Natasya Cangdra (freelancer for BOKS project in East Nusa Tenggara) 

Editor: Amarissa Kayla (Intern in Marketing Communications Unit)