Lestari Moerdijat Highlights Indonesia's Low Public Literacy Development Index, Challenge for Golden Generation
Indonesia’s low Public Literacy Development Index (IPLM) has drawn scrutiny from Vice Chair of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Lestari Moerdijat, as it potentially hinders the progress of the younger generation and the nation’s competitiveness in the global arena.
Latest data from the National Library (Perpusnas) shows the National IPLM stands at 40.6, placing it in the low category.
“A nation with low literacy levels will struggle in competing on the global stage,” Moerdijat stated firmly in a written statement.
The IPLM rating scale uses the following categories: Very Low (0–29.9), Low (30–49.9), Medium (50–79.9), High (80–89.9), and Very High (90–100). Perpusnas uses this index to assess regional government efforts in developing libraries and promoting public literacy culture.
The IPLM measures several key elements, including service distribution, collections, library personnel, visitor numbers and community engagement as benchmarks towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
Moerdijat, commonly known as Rerie, believes that literacy programmes cannot operate in isolation. Synergy between central government, regional authorities and literacy advocates must be strengthened through concrete action, not merely ceremonial gestures.
Rerie, who also serves as a member of Commission X of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, is calling for library services to be expanded to villages and serve as community activity centres rather than mere book warehouses. Additionally, education departments are expected to promptly integrate literacy into the curriculum and extracurricular activities.
Most importantly, according to the member of NasDem Party’s High Council, regional governments must oversee these measures in efforts to improve public literacy.
“Now is the time to move forward. This nation needs a generation that is intelligent and of good character, and that begins with literacy. There is no such thing as instant results; what exists is sustainable collaboration,” Moerdijat concluded.