Establishment of Free Academic Tutoring for Children by Religious Extension Education Students in Aek Muara Pinang Urban Village, South Sibolga District-Sibolga

Abstract

The commercialization of non-formal education services has created a wide gap in learning access for the lower class, including in Aek Muara Pinak Village, Sibolga Selatan District, Sibolga City. The economic limitations of a community dominated by informal sector workers marginalize their children from accessing paid tutoring centers (bimbel), potentially decreasing their learning motivation and academic achievement, and triggering an intergenerational poverty cycle. This descriptive qualitative research aims to analyze the establishment process, learning strategies, motivational impacts, and operational challenges of the free tutoring program in this area. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation involving administrators, tutors, parents, and students. The results indicate that the establishment of this tutoring center is an innovative, participatory approach to non-formal education access that eliminates economic barriers. In terms of implementation, tutors adopt a humanistic approach and learning differentiation that not only transfers knowledge (cognitive) but also integrates character building (affective) through habituation. The existence of this tutoring center successfully fulfills the psychological needs of the students, thereby increasing their intrinsic learning motivation. However, on the other hand, the sustainability of this program faces critical challenges, such as the high turnover rate of volunteer tutors and limited operational funds. This study recommends the need for formalization of strategic partnerships between initiators, village government, and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of an inclusive educational ecosystem at the grassroots level.