Elisabeth, PEM Teacher in Sumba Promotes Digital-Based Malaria Learning

MALARIA PERDHAKI – EAST SUMBA. Efforts to eliminate malaria continue to be strengthened through the education sector. At SD Rapamanu, Mbata Kapidu Village, East Sumba Regency, Elisabeth Pandarangga, a Malaria Elimination Motivator Teacher (Guru PEM), actively instills knowledge about malaria prevention among students through innovative learning methods.

As an area with a relatively high risk of malaria transmission, schools serve as a strategic space to introduce basic health education from an early age. Previously, malaria lessons at SD Rapamanu were delivered through the “Village Discussion” method, a storytelling- and conversation-based approach in which students shared experiences about malaria within their families and communities.

This method was combined with picture-based games, where students were asked to arrange and match illustrations of malaria symptoms, the mosquitoes responsible for transmission, and the patterns of spread, making the learning process active and participatory.

“The introduction of the Digital Interactive Board has become a new breakthrough that further enriches the learning process. Through this medium, students can learn about malaria symptoms through animated illustrations, short videos on the Plasmodium parasite carried by Anopheles mosquitoes, and simulations of transmission patterns presented visually and easy to understand,” said Elisabeth.

She further explained that the digital board is also used to teach malaria prevention measures, such as maintaining environmental cleanliness, covering stagnant water, wearing protective clothing at night, and using mosquito repellents. The materials are enhanced with interactive quizzes that encourage students to participate more enthusiastically in lessons.

“Learning about the proper use of insecticide-treated bed nets is also conducted through demonstration videos and digital simulations, allowing students to directly understand how to install bed nets correctly as an important measure to prevent mosquito bites,” Elisabeth added.

Through this innovation, Elisabeth Pandarangga highlights the crucial role of teachers in combining local wisdom with modern technology. The use of the Digital Interactive Board not only improves the quality of classroom learning but also strengthens malaria prevention education from an early age.

As a Guru Penggerak Eliminasi Malaria at SD Rapamanu, Elisabeth continues to deliver learning experiences that are interactive, participatory, and relevant for students—an important step toward building a healthier generation that is aware of the importance of malaria prevention.