Journal of Research in Science and Mathematics Education
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): August

Evaluating an Ethno-Pedagogical Intervention for Enhancing Pre-Service Teachers’ Literacy, Numeracy, and Pedagogical Competencies

Okky Riswandha Imawan (Cenderawasih University)
Raoda Ismail (Cenderawasih University)
Martijn van Driel (Albeda College)
Suwita Suwita (Cenderawasih University)
Golden Ringgo SC Ayomi (Cenderawasih University)
Mamberuman Marthen Inggamer (Cenderawasih University)
Susanto T. Handoko (Cenderawasih University)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Aug 2026

Abstract

Purpose: The marginalization of indigenous cultures in formal education can limit students' acquisition of foundational skills, necessitating culturally responsive pedagogical frameworks. This study introduces and empirically evaluates the "Buku Paket Kontekstual Papua" (BPKP), an ethno-pedagogical intervention authored by Martijn van Driel et al., designed to bridge indigenous Papuan realities with national curriculum standards, using story-based pedagogy, local games, and traditional knowledge to contextualize early childhood learning (grades 1-3). Methodology: Using a quantitative pre-experimental (one-group pretest-posttest) design without a control group, this research involved 61 undergraduate pre-service primary teachers (N=61) selected through random sampling. The study measured a dual-pillar transformation: Content Mastery (Literacy and Numeracy) and Pedagogical Readiness (Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor). Findings: Paired samples t-test analyses revealed that the BPKP training was associated with significant improvements across all five domains; negative Cohen's d values reflect the direction of pre-to-post change, not a decline. In Content Mastery, participants showed statistically significant but small improvements in literacy (p = .045, d = -0.263) and numeracy (p = .013, d = -0.328). The intervention also supported pedagogical readiness, yielding a large improvement in the cognitive domain (p < .001, d = -0.817) and significant gains in affective attitudes (p = .017) and psychomotor skills (p = .024). Significance: While causality cannot be definitively claimed given the research design, the findings suggest that integrating indigenous realities into educational training tools can support academic subject mastery and shape the readiness of future educators to teach in marginalized communities.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jrsme

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemistry Education Mathematics Physics

Description

Journal of Research in Science and Mathematics Education (J-RSME) is a journal to publish works in the form of research results, theoretical studies and review results that are original and have a novelty as a contribution to science in the scope of mathematics education, physics education, ...