Media Indonesia, page 23
The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) will provide 10 thousand books for the disadvantaged, outermost, and frontier regions (3T). The dissemination of books is expected to improve the book reading culture in the communities in those regions. The effort was also made to further introduce the different cultures of Indonesia. At the same time foster tolerance among the communities.
Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud), Muhadjir Effendy said in Jakarta, yesterday that the distribution of books is one way to accelerate the national literacy program for Indonesian citizens in commemoration of National Book Day 2017.
He considered the book distribution is very important because children’s interest in reading is still low. In fact, if the solution is not immediately sought the challenges in the future will be more severe. Therefore, Mendikbud said that to encourage children’s reading interest the government will increase the number of reading books in schools, i.e. textbooks and or non-lesson books. Muhadjir added later there may also be affirmation programs from the government towards books that are not selling in the market, but has an important role for the nation.