Ministry of Education’s Merdeka Curriculum Features Let’s Read Indonesia

In Indonesia, one of the factors behind the low literacy rate among children is a lack of access to interesting reading materials. Schools need to implement engaging reading into their curriculum to grow reading habits in the country.

In episode 23 of Merdeka Curriculum, “High-Quality Children Books for Indonesia’s Literacy,” the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology acknowledged that low-quality books may impact low literacy rates. Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, specifically addressed the issue by recommending a list of e-book publishers for children’s stories, including Let’s Read.

In addition to versions in English and Bahasa Indonesia, Let’s Read’s free digital library provides access to Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, Batak Toba, and Minang book collections featuring beautiful illustrations and culturally relevant stories. The program also distributes printed versions to many rural areas in Indonesia with limited internet access. By making stories more accessible for children, Let’s Read promotes and reinforces the importance of reading habits for families and communities and supports the ministry’s efforts to integrate more engaging reading material into children’s curriculums.

Translation

Di Indonesia, salah satu faktor penyebab rendahnya kebiasaan membaca anak adalah kurangnya akses bahan bacaan menarik. Maka demi menumbuhkan minat baca anak, sekolah perlu memasukkan bahan bacaan menarik pada kurikulum belajar.

Dalam program Merdeka Belajar Episode 23, “Buku Bacaan Bermutu untuk Literasi Indonesia,” Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset dan Teknologi menyampaikan kurangnya buku bacaan yang menarik menjadi penyebab rendahnya kebiasaan membaca anak. Mendikbudristek Nadiem Makarim menjawab tantangan tersebut secara spesifik melalui daftar rekomendasi e-book cerita anak, Let’s Read termasuk dalam daftar.

Selain versi Bahasa Inggris dan Indonesia, perpustakaan digital Let’s Read menyediakan koleksi buku dalam bahasa Jawa, Sunda, Bali, Batak Toba dan Minang dengan ilustrasi cantik dan cerita dengan muatan budaya yang relevan. Pengiriman versi cetak ke berbagai daerah terpencil dengan keterbatasan akses internet pun dilakukan. Melalui perluasan akses cerita anak ke pelosok negeri, Let’s Read menyuarakan pentingnya kebiasaan membaca bagi keluarga dan komunitas, serta turut menopang langkah kementerian dalam mengintegrasikan kebiasaan membaca pada kurikulum anak usia dini.