Breaking the Age Barrier: The Burning Spirit of Adult Learners at Al Zaytun Community Learning Center
Hartono, S.Pd. M.Pd. (Secretary of Al Zaytun Community Learning Center)
Who says school is only for the young? Will the spirit of pursuing knowledge wane just because their hair is turning gray and their fingers are no longer nimble enough to hold a pen? At Al-Zaytun Community Learning Center, that question was answered loudly in a solemn meeting on Saturday morning, January 31, 2026.
Peace be upon you, Merdeka! Those words echoed through the classroom, piercing the air among the Package B1 and B2 learners who had gathered since 10:45 a.m. WIB. In front of their tutors and homeroom teachers, these students, mostly of mature age, proved that pursuing recognition as equals is not about prestige, but about dignity and self-actualization.
The classroom atmosphere was warm as Ustadz Hartono, M.Pd., opened the session with the basmallah (prayer), conveying an aura of calm and seriousness. He wasn’t simply giving advice, but laying out a crucial roadmap for the future of the students’ education. His main focus was the 2026 Academic Ability Test (TKA), which was fast approaching. Given that the registration period was open until February 28, Ustadz Hartono reminded that this computer-based exam required more than just memorizing theory. Owning a laptop and being proficient in operating it was no longer optional, but rather a technical necessity that must be mastered before the main Package B event, which began on April 6-16, 2026.
The transformation was not only affecting the students’ mental readiness, but also the institution’s internal management. During the meeting, it was decided that starting next week, there would be a rotating tutoring program between Packages B1 and B2. This step was taken for a reason; the refreshed learning atmosphere was expected to strengthen students’ understanding of the organizational structure of PKBM Al-Zaytun. Ustadz Hartono emphasized that each student must have precise goals for each step of their learning. In line with this,
Ustadz Giarto offered more pointed technical encouragement. He proposed that laptops become a daily “weapon” in the classroom as a realistic simulation before the dress rehearsal in March. Furthermore, he conveyed a moral message urging all students to internalize the vision and mission of the Al-Zaytun Community Learning Center (PKBM) as a compass in their pursuit of knowledge.
However, amidst the often-fearful looming exam, Ustazah Hasnawati Imroni, S.Pd., offered a glimmer of calming optimism. For her, the TKA (Teaching and Learning) is not a heavy burden to be borne with anxiety, but rather a golden stage to demonstrate the extent to which the spirit of learning has ignited the souls of these elderly participants. “This is an opportunity, not a threat,” she emphasized, urging the students to celebrate the learning process with joy.
The meeting concluded promptly at 12:00 PM WIB with strong hopes that health and stamina would be maintained until the make-up exam period in May. With unwavering enthusiasm, the literacy champions at Al-Zaytun are ready to cross April 2026 with their heads held high, proving that under the auspices of the Community Learning Center (PKBM), knowledge is never too late.**
Indramayu, January 31, 2026
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