Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs stresses importance of involving children in literacy activities

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Romo HR Muhammad Syafi’i stressed the importance of involving children in various literacy activities, as this will have a broad impact on the participation of parents and families.

“If we involve the children, their parents will follow,” said Romo Syafi’i at the opening of the Muharam Islamic Literacy Festival (Milfest) 1448 H at the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Quran Printing Unit (UPQ) in Bogor on Thursday.

The Deputy Minister said one indicator of a programme’s success is its ability to attract children’s interest. For this reason, he expressed appreciation for activities involving children, such as colouring competitions and other educational activities at Milfest 2026.

According to him, a child-oriented approach will make the literacy movement more than a ceremonial exercise, allowing it to grow into a culture from an early age.

“I think we also need competitions for science songs. For example, songs about flora and fauna, how plants live and breathe. Things like these can be turned into songs,” he said.

In addition to song competitions, he also encouraged the development of literacy activities through various forms of children’s creativity so that the learning process becomes more enjoyable while fostering curiosity about science.

The Deputy Minister explained that this child-oriented approach aligns with the National Movement for Safe and Comfortable Spaces for Children (GERNAS RANA), which aims to create safe environments for children at home, at school, in public spaces, and in the digital sphere.

“Our colleagues at the Ministry of Religious Affairs are currently developing a curriculum that will be inserted into the running curriculum. Once again, for children. Because the story of the future is the story of children, not our story,” he said.

This spirit is in line with the direction of Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, who affirmed that education aims not only to build intellectual intelligence but also to forge strong character.

According to Romo, families, schools, and madrasahs play an important role in creating a safe and comfortable environment for children’s growth and development, so that humanistic, child-centred education will produce a generation that is intelligent, virtuous, and of strong character.