"Children are the nation's successors, so we need to improve children's literacy and interest in reading together. Parents play an essential role in cultivating children's interest in reading," she remarked.
Parents can start by introducing children to reading materials that match their age, such as stories about ancient heroes and folklore, she noted.
Parents can also bring their children to the library as well as reading park, she stated.
An article in Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection stipulates that children have the right to receive information based on their age and development, the ministry noted.
To this end, the ministry cooperates with the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) to develop interesting programs and activities for children.
These programs can be synergized within a concept that makes libraries across Indonesia child-friendly, she remarked.
Handayani expects that through this effort, Indonesian children's literacy will improve, and they would develop a fondness for reading.
"This will support the realization of a reading culture that is expected to be able to realize the culture of fondness for reading and will contribute significantly toward improving Indonesian children's literacy," she remarked.
Earlier, Minister for Villages, Disadvantaged Areas, and Transmigration (PDTT) Abdul Halim Iskandar expects that the Indonesia International Book Fair (IIBF) can cultivate the public's reading interest.
During the IIBF event here, Wednesday, he noted books are the key to gaining knowledge while also serving as a medium for dialogue and idea transformation.
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Translator: Anita Permata D, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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