Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education distributes books to accompany children's Lebaran homecoming journeys

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) distributed thousands of books at Tanjung Priok Port to accompany children’s homecoming journeys during this year’s Lebaran transport period. “We are distributing books as an effort to strengthen literacy and provide children with companions for their journeys to eastern Indonesia, which take more than four days,” said the Head of Literacy Enhancement and Strengthening at the Language Agency of Kemendikdasmen, Hidayat Widianto, in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to him, the book distribution took place on Monday (16/3) during the homecoming send-off, with 1,700 books handed out. Then, on Wednesday at the Tanjung Priok Passenger Terminal, they distributed 1,000 copies of books to homecomers. Besides here, they were present at airports, train stations, and other locations in Jakarta, Serang, and Cilegon. He explained that the books published by the Language Agency are children’s storybooks that help children improve their literacy. According to him, this is an annual programme, and during this Ramadan momentum, they aim to strengthen public literacy. Each child receives five books that they can read during the journey to their hometowns. “Especially on sea journeys that can last more than four days, these books can be their travel companions,” he said. “We are distributing these books directly and hope that all the books can be read well by the children,” he added. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of PAN RB Purwadi Arianto assessed that the presence of this book distribution further enhances this year’s homecoming services. “We appreciate the presence of Kemendikdasmen in homecoming services by distributing books for child homecomers,” he said.