Sukanto Tanoto and the Foundation Programs in Education

SukantoTanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto established Tanoto Foundation in 2001 to support poverty alleviation efforts. Among the programs regularly held by Tanoto Foundation, include scholarships, school improvement programs, research programs and university partnership programs with the ultimate purpose of reducing poverty in rural communities.

Recently Sukanto Tanoto and Tanoto Foundation initiatives involved the support for elementary education programs in Riau and Jambi Provinces. Tanoto Foundation believes in the importance of games and plays as essential to learning. As we know, Indonesian educational philosophies have few roles in classroom instruction. However, through the education programs and empowerment programs held by Tanoto Foundation, educators have learned to incorporate games into their lessons plans.

Tanoto Foundation Programs in Education

In order to promote creativity, discovery and passion for problem solving, it has to start from elementary ages. That is RGE Group companies together with Tanoto Foundation focused the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs on educational facilities and supports. For instance, recently, a training session was held at SDN 01 Sering Barat in Riau Pelalawan Regency. The teachers were trained to play Cokor de Alphabetica with the students. The games challenged the students to compete to see who can be the first to step on a designated letter card on the floor.

This is one of fun learning programs by Tanoto Foundation in collaboration with RGE Group companies such as APRIL, Sateri, RAPP, and many more. Both imaginative play and interaction with the natural world encourage the young children’s intellectual development. Character traits, patience and self-discipline unfold naturally when the children are playing. These are as important as intellectual ability for success in later life.

Sukanto Tanoto Realizes the Important Role of Teacher

The studies have demonstrated that good quality teachers are one of the best assets for the education system. They can introduce their students with the importance of improving teacher quality in educational system in Indonesia. Tanoto Foundation organized training programs specially designed for teachers. They included a training program held Simpang Kanan, Rokan Hilir. The training session was designed to help improve teachers’ instructional skills. The teachers learned classroom management techniques and innovative ways to make learning fun.

In addition to teacher training, Tonato Foundation also provides scholarships and other educational opportunities, as well as medical and social services, to people in Indonesia and other parts of the world. Since he dropped out of school at the age 17, Sukanto Tanoto does not want other Indonesian children loss their opportunity to study at higher level.