Atik Fajaryani: JP/Slamet Susanto

A village girl from a family of farmers with limited resources, Atik Fajaryani, 17, a student of State Vocational School I, Bantul, Yoyakarta, has earned the highest National Exam (UN) score in Indonesia.

The fourth child of Sambudi, 57, and Sudilah, 53, she earned a total UN score of 39.29 with a 9.60 average. The UN mark consisted of 9.8 for Indonesian, 10 for mathematics, 10 for English and 9.49 for accounting.

Interestingly, Atik didn’t take extra courses at school or private lessons for the achievement. Apart from relying on her schoolwork, Atik strived to learn by reading books.

By contrast, most urban students from wealthy families dread national exams, which prompt them to spend millions of rupiah on private tutors or attend special courses.

Simplicity could be her key, as she demonstrated in her daily activity. Atik went by bicycle to school,
some 7 kilometers away. “When I was in the third year, my brother had pity and lent me his motorcycle,” she recalled.

But for her, modesty was not necessarily the key to success. “There’s no particular recipe. So far I’ve only tried to love and enjoy studying and reading books,” she told The Jakarta Post at her home in Gandekan hamlet, Guwosari village, Pajangan district, Bantul.

In her view, if one doesn’t love studying and reading, there will be no maximum gain because it is hard to concentrate otherwise and lessons will not be fully understood.

Atik believes the future has to be prepared for, and as a student she has to study and prioritize her school attendance. “It’s my parents’ advice. They’ve been working hard for my education and my father is only a farmer,” said Atik. “In return, I feel obliged to respond to my parents’ expectations by studying seriously,” she added.

The youngest of four siblings never crammed for school exams or set any target time for reading.
She simply used every possible moment to read though only for a few minutes, particularly after her five daily prayers, because a peaceful mind helped her better digest what she read.

Unlike most of her peers who like watching TV, Atik doesn’t watch TV shows every day. “Returning from school at 5 p.m. after helping my mother with her chores, I choose to read books or go to bed,” she said.

For Atik, Indonesia’s TV broadcasts fail to promote the enterprising spirit of life, while TV drama stories are lacking in education. “I’m not against television. I just don’t like its low-quality programming,” Atik said.

With Atik’s disinclination to watch TV, her parents avoid turning it on during her study hours. Her father, who is a soccer enthusiast, even has to go to neighbors for soccer matches on TV. “I go next door and enjoy the games there with them,” said Sambudi.

Atik’s diligent and religious attitude earned her top ranks in her class from her first year. However, she had no inkling and was very surprised when told she had achieved the highest UN score in the country. “I didn’t quite expect it, as I was only hoping to pass the exams,” she said. “I was moved and couldn’t hold back my tears when I told my mother.”

Besides receiving an award and a laptop from Bantul Regent Surya Widati, Atik has been enrolled at the Yogyakarta State University (UNY) School of Political and Social Sciences since February 2011.

“UNY has long been my favorite university, but without its scholarship, my family couldn’t afford to pay,” said Atik, whose childhood dream was to become a kindergarten teacher.

For Sudilah, her youngest child’s performance made her proud, satisfied with the fruit of her domestic instruction. The family stressed the importance of education. “Schooling comes first, religious training second,” Sudilah added.

Sambudi has been more focused on making a living than his children’s upbringing. “I work from dusk till dawn as a farmer, so I leave all the children’s nurturing matters to my wife,” said Sambudi.

Sudilah makes no demands that her children help her with household work either. “They’re too tired to cook, wash clothes or sweep the floors after school. They can do it if they’re ready and fit enough,” she added.

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