The key to increasing the literacy competence of elementary school (SD) students lies in the ability of school principals, teachers, and librarians to manage and utilize books effectively.
In line with this objective, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) collaborates with Room to Read/ProVisi to provide intensive online training for teachers and teaching staff.
The training aims to optimize the benefits of reading books. Additionally, the Ministry of Education and Culture has implemented the Quality Reading Book for Indonesian Literacy program, which distributes over 15 million copies of reading books to elementary and early childhood education (PAUD) schools that are most in need.
The intensive online training was attended by representatives from elementary schools in Bengkulu, DKI Jakarta, Jambi, Bangka Belitung, Riau, West Java, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, and North Sumatra. The training was conducted in two batches, during the second and third weeks of May 2023. A total of 970 participants took part in the online training sessions.
One of the participants, Tiara Apriliyani, a fourth-grade teacher at SD Negeri 17 Bengkulu Tengah, expressed her thoughts on the training, stating, “After this training, our aim is to optimize and develop the reading corner. We realized that there should be a main book and a well-organized arrangement of books on the reading corner shelves that need to be fixed and repaired. Going forward, we will gradually address the areas that still need improvement. For example, we have not yet implemented the book-leveling mechanism, but we plan to do so.”
It is worth noting that the Quality Reading Books for Indonesian Literacy program was highlighted during the 23rd Merdeka Learning episode presented by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, on 27 February 2023.
The online training is a complementary initiative to other programs aimed at enhancing students’ literacy competence through reading books.
The training was officially opened on Tuesday (16/5/2023) by Dr. Muhammad Hasbi, the Director of Primary Education Kemendikbudristek. The speakers for the training included Andriyani, Afif Hida, Annisa Luthfi, and Indah Sintya from the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Mutiara Rindang and Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia (YLAI). These experienced individuals shared creative methods to foster reading habits and encouraged all participants to implement them.