NTA has implemented a Folklore Reading Competition for students from 15 middle (junior) schools in West Timor.
The Folklore Reading Competitions aim to:
Our Rotary Club donated $500 for this year's competition, which was held last Friday (11th) April 2025
The $500 covered the total cost of running it on the day. Hence you can see how far $500 can go in Indonesia
The Folklore Reading Competitions aim to:
- improve literacy among middle school students.
- enhance the active English-speaking and skills of middle school students.
- train middle school students to speak confidently in public.
- foster a love of reading among middle school students.
Our Rotary Club donated $500 for this year's competition, which was held last Friday (11th) April 2025
The $500 covered the total cost of running it on the day. Hence you can see how far $500 can go in Indonesia
- This is a very worthwhile cause as it helps to promote reading, not simply watching screens, which the majority of kids these days do, including Indonesian children
- The competition material was taken from Folklore in the collection of English folklore on the Teacher In A Box Server & the Bahasa version was translated from English.
- The International team would like to continue this donation on an annual basis
The short video above is of the first prize winner presenting in Bahasa Indonesian and then English. Her name is Leona Kana Riwu.
The video may take a few minutes to load.
The video may take a few minutes to load.
All Competition Participants
Background to the Folklore Reading Competition (from NTA)
In 2022/2023, NTA held the inaugural Folklore Reading Competition for primary school students in West Timor in two locations (East and West Kupang). Based on the resounding success of these events, in 2023/2024, we held two more reading competitions with primary schools in other parts of West Timor (Semau Island and South Central Timor). Last year’s events were again very well attended. The events generate significant local media coverage, demonstrating that they are a highlight of NTA’s Education Program in West Timor and are successfully promoting reading.
This year, NTA-Indonesia (NTA’s peak implementing partner in Indonesia) has identified middle schools in East Kupang for a folklore reading competition and, in consultation with teachers, has decided to incorporate an English-language skills element into the competition. English language is an important part of the school curriculum in Indonesia, and this competition offers a unique opportunity for students to increase their capacity in reading both English and Indonesian. NTA-I has encouraged participating schools to access English language folktales that are available on the Teacher-in-a-Box (TIB) server at the host school (SMPN 5 Kupang). At middle schools which have a TIB server, they are commonly used for developing English and Indonesian literacy, and NTA-I has identified this competition as an opportunity to build on this practice.
A jury of professionals with expertise in literature, the English language, performance, and education judge the competition. They provide motivation and guidance to students and teachers for future efforts. All participants are awarded a certificate. Winners will receive a trophy, minor prizes and recognition for their school and among their peers.
The Folklore Reading Competition creates the opportunity for students and teachers from poorly resourced schools in West Timor to develop literacy skills, foster a love of reading, imbed the practice of using TIB for literacy and improve their confidence through friendly competition.
The schools from the region in which the Folklore Reading Competitions are held drive the event, with NTA-I heavily involved in planning and organisation. NTA-I attends the Reading Competition, where they account for expenditures, provide motivation to mentors and students, and present appreciation awards, and prizes.
In 2022/2023, NTA held the inaugural Folklore Reading Competition for primary school students in West Timor in two locations (East and West Kupang). Based on the resounding success of these events, in 2023/2024, we held two more reading competitions with primary schools in other parts of West Timor (Semau Island and South Central Timor). Last year’s events were again very well attended. The events generate significant local media coverage, demonstrating that they are a highlight of NTA’s Education Program in West Timor and are successfully promoting reading.
This year, NTA-Indonesia (NTA’s peak implementing partner in Indonesia) has identified middle schools in East Kupang for a folklore reading competition and, in consultation with teachers, has decided to incorporate an English-language skills element into the competition. English language is an important part of the school curriculum in Indonesia, and this competition offers a unique opportunity for students to increase their capacity in reading both English and Indonesian. NTA-I has encouraged participating schools to access English language folktales that are available on the Teacher-in-a-Box (TIB) server at the host school (SMPN 5 Kupang). At middle schools which have a TIB server, they are commonly used for developing English and Indonesian literacy, and NTA-I has identified this competition as an opportunity to build on this practice.
A jury of professionals with expertise in literature, the English language, performance, and education judge the competition. They provide motivation and guidance to students and teachers for future efforts. All participants are awarded a certificate. Winners will receive a trophy, minor prizes and recognition for their school and among their peers.
The Folklore Reading Competition creates the opportunity for students and teachers from poorly resourced schools in West Timor to develop literacy skills, foster a love of reading, imbed the practice of using TIB for literacy and improve their confidence through friendly competition.
The schools from the region in which the Folklore Reading Competitions are held drive the event, with NTA-I heavily involved in planning and organisation. NTA-I attends the Reading Competition, where they account for expenditures, provide motivation to mentors and students, and present appreciation awards, and prizes.
Nusatenggara Association Inc.'s (NTA) Facebook Post
Bilingual Storytelling Competition – East Kupang
Yesterday, NTA held the annual schools' Storytelling Competition in East Kupang... and this year it was bilingual (English & Indonesian)!
The event began with a traditional dance performed by students of the host school before being officially opened by the Head of the Department of Education and Culture, Kupang, who expressed his gratitude to NTA for organising the inspiring event and West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook Rotary as sponsor. He was pleasantly surprised by the strong motivation and talent of the students, and hoped to see more events like this in the future.
NTA was pleased to see that 13 of the 14 entrants were female - a great outcome for promoting girls’ education in NTT. Student preparation strategies included English tutoring at school, sharpening their skills by watching YouTube videos and commitment to practising. NTA observed that despite appearing nervous during their students' performance, the mentors enjoyed the day and were proud regardless of the result. The audience was thoroughly entertained by the creative stories and presentation.
A panel of three judges from the English Education Department of Catholic University Widya Mandira Kupang assessed the students' performances and awarded the 6 placegetters who received awards and prizes. Every school was super proud of their students and received certificates of appreciation for their participation!
The event ended with a warm closing from Mr. Frans Wayan, Secretary of NTA-I and Education Program Coordinator
Bilingual Storytelling Competition – East Kupang
Yesterday, NTA held the annual schools' Storytelling Competition in East Kupang... and this year it was bilingual (English & Indonesian)!
The event began with a traditional dance performed by students of the host school before being officially opened by the Head of the Department of Education and Culture, Kupang, who expressed his gratitude to NTA for organising the inspiring event and West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook Rotary as sponsor. He was pleasantly surprised by the strong motivation and talent of the students, and hoped to see more events like this in the future.
NTA was pleased to see that 13 of the 14 entrants were female - a great outcome for promoting girls’ education in NTT. Student preparation strategies included English tutoring at school, sharpening their skills by watching YouTube videos and commitment to practising. NTA observed that despite appearing nervous during their students' performance, the mentors enjoyed the day and were proud regardless of the result. The audience was thoroughly entertained by the creative stories and presentation.
A panel of three judges from the English Education Department of Catholic University Widya Mandira Kupang assessed the students' performances and awarded the 6 placegetters who received awards and prizes. Every school was super proud of their students and received certificates of appreciation for their participation!
The event ended with a warm closing from Mr. Frans Wayan, Secretary of NTA-I and Education Program Coordinator
