MATARAM – Each region has different educational challenges, so collaboration is needed between Teacher Education Institutions (LPTK), the government, and the community to face the challenges in each region. Responding to this challenge, as many as 60 LPTKs from 8 provinces, namely West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, East Java, West Java, North Kalimantan, Papua, Maluku, and East Kalimantan participated in the National Conference entitled Collaboration of LPTK, government, and schools, to Improve Learning Outcomes for All Children. The conference, which took place on 19-20 June 2024, was facilitated by the Innovation Program for Indonesian School Children (INOVASI), an education partnership program between the Australian and Indonesian governments. "The purpose of this conference is to create opportunities to unite teacher education institutions with all other elements of the ecosystem.

The goal is to strengthen the ecosystem to improve the learning outcomes of our children," explained Mark Heyward, Director of the INOVASI Program in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday (19/06).
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rusdi, M.Sc, Chair of the Communication Forum for the Leadership of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) throughout Indonesia (Forkom FKIP) encourages stronger collaboration between LPTK and regions through the education ecosystem. He said that the education ecosystem is the most effective forum for driving collaboration in the regions, especially in improving literacy-numeracy learning outcomes. The education ecosystem binds all parties to work together to solve regional education challenges. "Serious integration is needed in the LPTK environment as a medium for preparing literacy and numeracy cadres in order to prepare teachers who are ready to go down to serve. We in higher education must have a habit of developing things that are planning, content that is local wisdom that is productive," he explained. Thobib Al - Asyar, Director of Teachers and Education Personnel (GTK) Madrasah, Directorate General of Islamic Education, Ministry of Religion, when opening the event expressed his support for this activity because it has gathered key education stakeholders in order to formulate efforts to improve student learning outcomes, especially on the topic of literacy and numeracy at the elementary education level. "This activity is the starting point for support from LPTK and other government institutions including the Ministry of Religious Affairs Training Center in order to improve the quality of children's education both in elementary and madrasah education," he explained.
Widya Karmila Achmad, Chair of the Association of Elementary School Teacher Education Lecturers (PGSD) throughout Indonesia said that this activity has been awaited by PGSD as a forum to share experiences and discuss literacy and numeracy in LPTK. "I hope that with this activity, together we can contribute to improving literacy - numeracy in LPTK," he explained.
Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz. M.Pd, Head of the PLD Disability Service Center - HAMZANWADI UNIVERSITY expressed his joy at being able to join the National Conference event. Abdul Aziz was able to convey the implementation of good practices of IMPLEMENTING THE INCLUSIVE INDEPENDENT CURRICULUM to IMPROVE STUDENTS' BASIC LITERACY in collaboration with INOVASI and disseminate it to other LPTKs.
The national conference presents speakers from various LPTKs to share good practices in improving the quality of education in the regions, including efforts to prepare qualified prospective teachers. This activity is filled with an exhibition of learning products, curriculum, and training modules that have been used in various places. Through this conference, all participants can learn from each other to strengthen the role of LPTKs in improving the quality of education in their respective regions. This conference encourages stronger collaboration between LPTKs and local governments to address regional education challenges. The INOVASI program is a partnership between Australia and Indonesia. This program is designed to improve the quality of basic education, especially in basic skills (foundation skills), namely literacy, numeracy and character. The INOVASI program works in 6 partner provinces, namely East Java, West Java, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, North Kalimantan and Maluku.