Commission X appreciates Education Minister's efforts to foster child literacy outside the classroom
Jakarta — The head of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Hetifah Sjaifudian, has praised Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti’s efforts to foster children’s reading interest and literacy outside the classroom through the provision of free reading materials in public spaces.
She stated that providing free children’s books in public spaces through the annual “Mudik Asyik Baca Buku” (Enjoyable Homecoming Book Reading/MABB) programme is a creative approach by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to increase children’s access to reading culture beyond classroom teaching activities.
“Commission X appreciates all parties, particularly the Universal Participation initiative led by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. I am confident the impact will be significant because the presence of books in public spaces like this is a creative way to introduce children to books and reading materials,” Hetifah said during the opening of the MABB 2026 programme at Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta on Monday.
Furthermore, she expressed confidence that providing quality books free of charge at departure points during the mudik (homecoming) season would encourage pleasant interactions between parents and children whilst waiting for their departure times or during the journey.
“Of course, what happens on trains or buses with reading materials is a form of parent-child interaction that will certainly be very enjoyable and memorable for children throughout their lives. Although this appears simple, hopefully it can foster a reading culture, which is a long-term investment,” said Hetifah.
On the same occasion, the head of the Language Agency of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Hafidz Muksin, stated that the scope of the Mudik Asyik Baca Buku programme this year has been expanded to nine locations: Pasar Senen Station, Gambir Station, Kalideres Terminal, Kampung Rambutan Terminal, Pulo Gebang Terminal, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Tanjung Priok Port, Merak Port (Banten), and Pakupatan Terminal in Serang, Banten.
In his report, he noted that each location would receive an allocation of approximately 2,600 copies of books that could be read on-site or taken home by children participating in the literacy activity.
“The Mudik Asyik Baca Buku programme is a manifestation of various parties’ participation in strengthening public literacy. Through this activity, the Language Agency is providing 24,000 quality books free of charge for homebound travellers, particularly children,” Hafidz said.