Social Minister States Library Managers are the Spearhead of Literacy for People's School Students
Social Minister (Mensos), Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul, stated that library managers play a central role as the spearhead in organising People’s Schools and improving reading literacy among students.
“So, friends attending this training, you are important people and very important. More important than the minister in organising People’s Schools. You are the spearhead, and you are at the forefront of how these People’s Schools will turn out,” said Gus Ipul in his statement on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
“The spearhead for People’s Schools in providing libraries that can truly motivate students, enhance literacy and reading interest, so that our learning targets in People’s Schools can be achieved,” he continued.
Gus Ipul conveyed this while attending and officially opening the Advanced Technical Training on Library Management for People’s School Library Managers Batch 3 of 2026 at Novotel BSD City, South Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday (15/4). The event, running until 19 April, is attended by 127 participants from various People’s Schools across Indonesia.
Gus Ipul said that libraries are the heart of literacy and a growth space for the future of People’s School students. He noted that one strategic function of libraries is as a tool for social mobility for children from low-income families to advance in class, serving as a space for inspiration and references for future change.
In addition, libraries also act as a safe space and a place for children to find hope, not just information. Libraries can also prevent the negative effects of digital media or social media.
“Furthermore, libraries can function as centres for character building. Forming discipline, curiosity, and resilience, training focus, deep thinking, and the foundation for critical thinking,” he explained.
Therefore, Gus Ipul reminded the training participants to take the event seriously. He hopes that each manager will later pass on knowledge about the importance of libraries to teachers and other educational personnel in People’s Schools.
“Please pass on the knowledge to others later. Convey to the teachers that teachers must also have understanding and concern for libraries,” he stressed.
“Remember, the role of library managers is not just book keepers, but curators of knowledge that drive literacy and guardians of the nation’s children’s hopes. In your hands, books can become a new destiny for a child,” added Gus Ipul.
Furthermore, Gus Ipul explained that as one of the important elements of education, he wants the location of libraries to be at the frontmost area of permanent People’s Schools in the future. For this reason, the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) is collaborating with the National Library (Perpusnas) of Indonesia in library management.
“So, I truly request to the Head of the Library, you who are the expert in this matter, I hand over everything, both in its management and in strengthening human resources, that will be handed over to us later,” said Gus Ipul.
Meanwhile, the Head of the National Library of Indonesia, Aminudin Aziz, appreciated the collaboration between Kemensos and Perpusnas. He believes that People’s Schools can become a good example in educating and improving the welfare of children.
“I strongly believe that People’s Schools can become the best example that even those from marginalised groups, when nurtured well, when given good nutritional reading of knowledge, they can develop well and can exceed the average value of people schooled in regular schools. I am very confident of that,” said Aminudin.
Aminudin added that during 2025, his side has assisted in providing books to 150 People’s Schools across 224 levels. The details are 1,500 books for primary school level, 1,500 books for junior high school level, and 1,000 books for senior high school level.
He also stated that there will be various innovative programmes in managing libraries in People’s Schools, such as reading activities up to book reviewing.
“So that later it will be packaged in a programme we call the People’s School Literacy Movement, and with support from the Ministry of Social Affairs, I believe this will make the library empowerment model in People’s Schools a truly innovative model,” said Aminudin.
For information, also present at the event were Deputy Social Minister (Wamensos), Agus Jabo Priyono, and Secretary General of Kemensos, Robben Rico.