VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Talkshow Increasing the Community Literacy Index (PILM) at Garut University - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Of the 443,939 schools in Indonesia, the number of school libraries standing is only 199,597 units. What's even sadder is that the number of new school library staff is 54,763 people.

Member of Commission X DPR RI Ferdiansyah explained that there are at least four gaps in school libraries. First, the understanding and skills that entrepreneurs need to operate effectively in a digital environment.

Second, not all school library staff have the qualifications and competencies in accordance with Minister of National Education Regulation Number 25 of 2008. Third, many library staff are still school teachers.

"And fourth, regarding the unclear employment status of school library staff," he explained at the talkshow Increasing the Community Literacy Index (PILM) at Garut University, Saturday, (1/12/2023).

Apart from the four factors which he considers to be gaps in school libraries, Ferdiansyah again reminded the six basic literacies that society absolutely must have, namely literacy, numeracy, science, digital, finance, culture and citizenship.

Ferdiansyah then highlighted the habit of Indonesian people who can stare at screens 5-7 hours per day but find it difficult to get used to reading books.

"Perhaps, at the school level there should be a rule that if you want to graduate from school you have to summarize books," suggested Ferdi.
Education actually produces an intelligent nation. Don't just rely on school institutions. Education must also be touched from home.

"Indicators of an intelligent nation can be seen from its prosperity," said National Library Main Librarian Muhammad Syarif Bando.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday (02/12/23), the parameter of intelligence is not only cleverness but also seen from character, manners, honesty, work ethic. If you want to be a winner, become a producing country.

"Without the contribution of education, economic change will not be possible," explained Syarif Bando.

In Garut Regency, the Head of the Garut Regency Library and Archives Service, Totong, said that his party also had challenges that were not easy. As a public library, public libraries are being transformed into national knowledge repositories, market places, co-working spaces, initiators of digital publishing, and social inclusion.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Language and Literature Education Lecturer at IPI Garut Asep Nurjamin said digital literacy is the understanding and skills that entrepreneurs need to operate effectively in a digital environment.

It is necessary to pay attention to several keywords when recognizing and understanding digital literacy, such as advertising, personal selling, interactive marketing, and so on

"In digital literacy there are things that must be considered, including understanding digital platforms, digital security, digital marketing, e-commerce, data analysis, technological innovation, collaboration and soft digital skills," concluded Asep//VOI