LOCAL WISDOM-BASED STRATEGY OF TRANSFERRING KNOWLEDGEAMONG EDUCATORS AT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SRENGSENG SAWAH SUB-DISTRICT, JAGAKARSA DISTRICT, SOUTH JAKARTA

Abstract

In every educational institution, knowledge is regarded as the principal asset to achieve its goals. Educators are thus required to improve and broaden their knowledge through the transfer of knowledge and information. This paper seeks to answer the following research questions: 1) how knowledge transfer is constructed, through the SECI process, based on local wisdom by educators at Early Childhood Education Programs (PAUD) in Srengseng Sawah Sub-District, Jagakarsa District, South Jakarta? 2) what kinds of local wisdom do they apply? The aim of this research is to identify the social construction that takes place in the process of local wisdom-based knowledge transfer among educators. By applying a qualitative approach and a case study method, this research found that the educators, all of whom are women, construct education based on collective consciousness of their role as mothers and their common predicament working as PAUD educators. Their role as mothers teaches them how to deal with children (as role models and motivators). Being aware of their similar condition—PAUD educators have not been given equal status as educators at formal kindergartens—they take the initiative to build a social relationship based on egalitarian values (trust and respect among each other), as well as cosmopolitan values (openness, honesty, and orientation towards information and technology). Egalitarian and cosmopolitan values are part of the Betawi culture. The significance of this research is to raise a cultural understanding of the process of local wisdom-based knowledge transfer.