National Library Appreciates Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education's Policy Allowing BOS Funds for Purchasing Books

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Library appreciates the policy of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) regarding the utilisation of School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds designated for the non-textbook book expenditure component.

The Head of the National Library, Aminudin Aziz, stated that the policy on the utilisation of BOS funds is highly revolutionary, yet it still requires strict supervision.

“An affirmative policy by allocating 10 percent of BOS funds for purchasing non-textbooks is, in my view, a very revolutionary policy; now it’s about how we monitor it,” said Aminudin in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.

On that occasion, he also mentioned that the number of libraries in Indonesia recorded is 219,000, with 78 percent or around 170,000 of them being school libraries.

“We have data on the total number of libraries recorded at 219,000, and 78% of them are school libraries. That means there are so many school libraries,” he said.

Based on a meeting with Kemendikdasmen, they agreed to use the Company Identification Number (NPP) for library data instead of the National School Identification Number (NPSN).

This, he continued, aims to create a single data set and standardise the library empowerment service model, both in schools and non-schools.

Therefore, he hopes that in the future, libraries will no longer function merely as places to store books, so that teachers or educational personnel assigned there do not feel like they are under a ‘curse’.

Libraries, he said, must become places for developing creativity and knowledge, and be able to foster new ways of thinking.

“Because? Because the sources of learning are in the library,” said Aminudin.