The cause of structural poverty is because of the limited access to knowledgeJakarta (ANTARA) - A low level of literacy or the lack of mastery of knowledge is one of the factors causing poverty in a group or region, Head of the National Library Muhammad Syarif Bando stated.
"The cause of structural poverty is because of the limited access to knowledge. (They) do not have skills," Bando noted at a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Tuesday.
Four factors causing poverty are the lack of mastery of knowledge, limited skills and innovation, limited access to capital, and the lazy culture, according to Bando.
Indonesian society still lacks in terms of the level of literacy as is apparent from the weak reading habit, he pointed out.
Bando stated that UNESCO has set a standard that at least one person should read three new books per year.
Meanwhile, he noted that on average, Indonesians would not even complete one book annually.
He highlighted that despite reading 15 to 20 new books per year, the society in East Asia, Western Europe, and the Americas still feel it is not adequate.
Bando assessed that barriers still existed in the distribution and dissemination of books from the government to people in the country, thereby contributing to the low literacy rate.
He noted that from his visits to the local education offices in Central Mamuju, West Sulawesi, and Palu, Central Sulawesi, it was found that the local governments' budget for printing books did not exist.
Only a small amount of the budget was allocated for purchasing books, he pointed out.
"For many years, the community there has not had access to new knowledge (provided by the local government)," he remarked.
According to Bando, this condition contributes to the fact that 514 districts and cities throughout Indonesia need Rp1,115 trillion (US$74.8 billion), but the Regional Original Revenue (PAD) only reaches Rp310.16 trillion (US$20.8 billion).
"What's wrong? Literacy that is not productive. Overbudgeting does not meet the income. This is what must be corrected," he remarked.
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Translator: Astrid H, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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