PENDAMPINGAN LITERASI MEMBACA MELALUI PROGRAM KELAS FOKUS BACA BAGI SANTRI BARU DI PONDOK PESANTREN AL FATIH AS SYAFII

Abstract

Reading ability is an essential basic skill in the educational process. However, a small number of new students at Pondok Pesantren Al Fatih As Syafii still experience difficulties in reading, particularly students who transferred from other schools and those who had previously dropped out of school. This community service program aimed to improve students’ reading skills through the Focus Reading Class (Kelas Fokus Baca/KFB) program. The program used a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach by providing special assistance for one semester to 20 students who needed support in developing their reading skills. Learning was conducted gradually, starting from letter recognition, syllables, and simple words to simple sentences, using phonetic methods, repeated reading, visual media, and educational games. The results showed that 15 students (75%) were able to read simple sentences fluently, 4 students (20%) were able to read with some errors, and 1 student (5%) still required further assistance. The KFB program also helped improve students’ confidence and readiness to participate in regular learning. Therefore, KFB can be an alternative literacy support program for students with diverse reading abilities.