GP G7 - Evaluation Daily Test

UNESCO Says Indonesians' Reading Interest Still Low

By: Yulia Indrasari, 23 Apr 2024 - 11:54

KBRN, Surabaya: The interest in reading books in Indonesia is considered to be still very low. In fact, UNESCO said that the Indonesian reading interest index is only 0.001% or out of 1,000 Indonesians, only 1 person is an avid reader. The Ministry of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkominfo) on its official website also released the results of a research entitled World's Most Literate Nations Ranked conducted by Central Connecticut State University in March 2016, Indonesia was declared to be ranked 60th out of 61 countries in terms of reading interest, just below Thailand (59) and above Botswana (61). In fact, in terms of infrastructure assessment to support reading, Indonesia's ranking is above European countries.

Meanwhile, PISA or the Program for International Student Assessment, an international study that assesses the quality of the education system by measuring learning outcomes that are essential for success in the 21st century, stated that the PISA results in 2022 regarding reading literacy, showed that Indonesia's ranking had increased by 5 positions compared to 2018. However, the scores obtained showed a decline and Indonesia still occupies the 11th lowest ranking out of 81 countries recorded.

Prof. Mochamad Nursalim, a lecturer at the Faculty of Education (FIP) of Surabaya State University (Unesa) said that the low interest in reading among Indonesian people is general in nature but low interest in reading also occurs among students. It seems that the assumption of reading that is identified with books in physical form has shifted with the increasingly sophisticated era today because reading can be done with electronic or digital books.

"Books are still very relevant and are the main source of learning. Their contents are more reliable than several other sources because they go through several stages of selection, validation, editing, and also present data and information in depth and comprehensively," he said.

To increase interest in reading, Nursalim said it is necessary to be aware that there are now many sources of reading and knowledge. Books are no longer just printed books, but also electronic books or e-books and journals or research results available on various trusted platforms.

In commemorating World Book Day, it is hoped that this will not only be a mere ceremony but can still foster interest in reading among the Indonesian people, especially the millennial generation, and also make reading a culture and good habit. World Book Day itself was established by UNESCO on April 23, 1955 with the aim of promoting the pleasure or joy of books or reading activities. This celebration is also a form of concern about the interest and importance of reading for people around the world.

Cited from: https://www.rri.co.id/daerah/649261/unesco-sebut-minat-baca-orang-indonesia-masih-rendah

Accessed on Friday, 24 January 2025

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