TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Gojek provides free English courses to more than 3,000 driver-partners' children
Change Size
F
or some Indonesians, English is a part of their daily lives, from the content they consume to the conversations they have. Proficiency in the language allows them to open themselves to a wider world of connections, entertainment and knowledge.
However, this is not the case for others. According to the 2022 EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) by Education First, Indonesia ranks 81st in English proficiency out of 111 countries with a score of 469, below the global average score of 502 and placing it in the category of “low proficiency”.
In comparison, neighboring Singapore placed second with a score of 642, with first place taken by the Netherlands with a score of 661.
The report has also consistently found correlations between English ability and aspects such as productivity, quality of life, innovation and a range of other social and economic indicators, which in turn underline the importance of proficiency in the language.
Reflecting on the report's findings, Indonesia's low English proficiency trails other countries, even in the ASEAN region. One influencing factor is that English language courses are still considered a luxury for some, which makes proficiency in the language a lower priority to them.
As a company actively committed to eliminating barriers to opportunities for parts of its ecosystem, Gojek, as part of the GoTo Group, has returned with its GoEnglish program, offering free English courses for the children of its driver-partners.
Done in collaboration with Gramedia Academy, the comprehensive training program is expected to equip the children of Gojek partners with English language skills as a preparation for their future.
Throughout 20 sessions, partners' children were given comprehensive English lessons with highly competent teachers, utilizing modules tailored to the students' abilities during the placement test.
The training included various basic English language skills such as writing, listening and conversation training to help participants master the English language.
Gede Manggala, head of regions & external affairs at Gojek, said the GoEnglish program itself had been in place since 2019.
Thanks to high enthusiasm, the program has reached around 3,000 children of driver-partners in 30 cities throughout Indonesia.
"We hope that this initiative can prepare the children of Gojek driver-partners to become digital-era talents who can adapt to the future world of work so that they can improve the standard of living of driver-partners and their families. Apart from being under the umbrella of the Gojek Swadaya program for partners and families, this initiative is also part of the Zero Barriers sustainability commitment, where we are committed to eliminating all obstacles to access, growth and opportunities for all parties in the GoTo Group ecosystem," continued Gede.
In addition to the free English course program for the children of driver-partners, Gede added that the Gojek Swadaya program had also provided entrepreneurship training for the spouses of driver-partners as well as full-ride college scholarships for the children of driver-partners.
Meanwhile, publishing & education director of Gramedia, Wandi S. Brata welcomed the GoEnglish program, expressing his appreciation to Gojek for providing free courses for the children of driver-partners.
"It is truly an honor that starting in 2019, Gramedia Academy has educated around 3,000 children of its driver-partners to learn English language skills with truly encouraging results. Hopefully, this initiative can continue and become an inspiration for other companies in the industry," said Wandi.
Viral video shows reaction of Gojek driver to child being named best graduate of GoEnglish
A video of a Gojek driver-partner's daughter who was named the best graduate from GoEnglish has been making the rounds on social media recently.
In the video, the father expressed his pride that his daughter was given the chance to study English, which the family considered a luxury. The Gojek driver-partner also explained that he regularly made time to see his daughter off to the course amid his busy schedule.
The video, which has been watched thousands of times on Instagram, drew positive and encouraging comments from netizens who praised the driver-partner and Gojek's initiative.
“This is such a cool program, salute!!! Congratulations, and keep on learning," wrote @atikazhamila911.
“This is a cool program @gojekindonesia maybe this can inspire other companies👍,” said @latifah.kustomo87.
“Keep on practicing so you won't forget what you learned, listen to Western songs, watch Western movies and read English newspapers,” said @vinirawd.
