Literacy reflects on culture: Try

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno said a nation's sophistication is often judged by the number of books written, published and read, and in these respects Indonesia is still very backward.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Gadjah Mada University campus here yesterday to commemorate National Education Day, Try said: "The quantity and variety of the books written, translated, published, bought and read in our society is still inadequate.

"In this respect, we have to work harder," he said, adding that the inadequacy was even more pronounced when the number of magazines and newspapers produced was taken into account.

Try took President Soeharto's place yesterday in leading the commemoration. Soeharto is suspending this week's state activities in respect of the death of First Lady Tien Suharto on Sunday.

Also attending yesterday's ceremony were Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave, and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas.

National Education Day falls on the birth date of Ki Hajar Dewantara who founded the nationalistic Taman Siswa educational organization in the 1920s.

Libraries

Try lamented the fact that private and state libraries are still rarely utilized and often a less-than-popular place to visit.

"We still don't fully use libraries as a means of enhancing the nation's wisdom," he remarked.

He said that this is one of the reasons why the government holds a National Book Month, which is aimed at "increasing the general public's consciousness and appreciation of the importance of books."

Try also marked yesterday's celebration by launching the 1996 National Book Month, and donating 27,000 books for various less- developed villages across the country.

On the significance of education, Try underlined the growing link between the scholastic and economic fields. He said that the nation should aim for a situation where the knowledge and skill acquired by everyone will allow them to create their own vocations.

Given the increasing international competition, knowledge and skills have to be continuously honed and developed, he said.

"We have to develop our society into one which aspires to scholarly pursuits and invention," Try said.

In an attempt to boost the national education level, in 1994 the government extended the compulsory basic education program from six-years to nine-years.

Yogyakarta was chosen as the site of this year's National Education Day celebration because of, among other things, the province's success in implementing the compulsory education program.

According to Try, parents throughout the country have responded positively to the program.

"This shows that our nation is ready to enter the 21st Century which will be dominated by ever-increasing competition."

He explained that in the coming era of free trade, labor will also become an important commodity which will transcend national borders.

He stressed that only the most qualified manpower will be able to survive in such a competitive environment and thus the nation must hone its skills to anticipate this era.

Unskilled laborers will in the end lose out even in their own country, Try warned. (har/02/mds)