Social Reintegration of School Dropouts Through Nonformal Education at Suka Mandiri CLC

Abstract

Adolescents who have dropped out of school face various challenges in their identity development that can affect their self-confidence, social relationships, and ability to reintegrate into society. This situation not only results in the interruption of formal education but also triggers identity crises, social stigma, and obstacles to social reintegration. Non-formal education provided through Community Learning Centers (CLC) offers a "second chance" for these adolescents to continue their education while rebuilding their identities and social roles. This study aims to: (1) understand the experiences of school dropouts in facing identity formation challenges; (2) uncover the meaning they attach to their experiences in non-formal education at CLC Suka Mandiri; and (3) describe the social reintegration process experienced by these adolescents after participating in the program. A qualitative approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation involving eight adolescents who had dropped out of school and were attending CLC Suka Mandiri in Lamongan Regency. The findings reveal that these adolescents face identity-related challenges such as the loss of student status, social stigma, diminished self-confidence, and uncertainty about the future driven by familial, social, and personal factors. Their experience at the CLC is perceived as an opportunity to gain social acceptance, develop skills, rebuild self-confidence, and find new hope for the future. This process fosters identity reconstruction, characterized by increased self-belief, a commitment to pursuing further education or employment, and greater participation within their families and communities.

Keywords: Adolescent identity, school dropouts, non-formal education, CLC, social reintegration, phenomenology, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).