Government Expands Access to 5.5 Million Quality Books to Strengthen Children's Literacy
The government is continuing its efforts to provide quality education for all Indonesian children by expanding access to quality reading books. This effort requires universal participation and support from various parties, including the central government, regional governments, the business sector, and the community.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti emphasised that strengthening literacy and numeracy is part of the implementation of President Prabowo Subianto’s fourth Asta Cita, which focuses on strengthening human resource development. Therefore, increasing children’s interest in reading is a priority that is continuously promoted through cross-sector collaboration.
“We are doing our utmost to increase children’s interest in reading. Together with partners, including Pura Barutama and PT Mars Akbar Mandiri, we hope this programme runs smoothly and benefits Indonesian children,” Mu’ti said during the release of 5.5 million quality reading books for primary and secondary schools in Kudus, Central Java, on Friday (31/7/2026).
According to him, providing quality reading books is not solely the government’s responsibility. Regional governments and the private sector also have room to contribute to enriching reading materials for students. He assessed that reading habits need to be continuously fostered because not all knowledge can be acquired in the classroom, which has limited time and space.
In addition to printed books, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is also providing a ‘Rumah Pendidikan’ platform that allows teachers and students to download textbooks and non-textbooks for free in digital, audio, and video formats. This platform is expected to further expand access to quality learning resources.
Hariqo Wibawa Satria, a senior expert at the Government Communication Agency, expressed appreciation for the ministry’s commitment to realising inclusive quality education, such as providing braille reading books and audio and video learning resources for children with special needs.
“These efforts must continue to be strengthened as part of improving the quality of national literacy,” Hariqo said. He invited all stakeholders to work together to open wider access to quality reading books so that more students have good reading and writing skills.
On the same occasion, the President Director of PT Pura Barutama, Bambang Handoko, expressed his support for the 2026 National Literacy Movement as a concrete joint step to broaden the horizons of the nation’s next generation through a reading culture.
Head of the Language Development and Fostering Agency, Hafidz Muksin, stated that this year’s book distribution reaches 510 districts and cities across 38 provinces, prioritising educational units whose literacy skills are still below the minimum competency based on the National Assessment results.
Although it does not yet cover all the targeted educational units, the agency ensures that the books can be used optimally by teachers, principals, and students. Each book package sent to schools is equipped with a usage guide.
“The books sent are already equipped with a usage guide, so it is hoped that this will make it easier for teachers, principals, and students to utilise these books,” Hafidz said.
Through stronger collaboration, Hafidz hopes that more Indonesian children will have access to quality reading materials so they grow into intelligent, critical, and character-driven individuals ready to advance the nation.