Head of the Language Agency of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Hafidz Muksin, said that the improvement of linguistic and literary literacy (the ability to comprehend, interpret, and use language), the preservation of regional languages, and the internationalization of the Indonesian language are the agency’s priority programs.
“Quality education for all covers all children, including children with special needs and attention. The Language Agency has a program to provide books, both printed and digital, or Braille storybooks,” he informed here on Wednesday.
He said that this year, the agency is preparing 100 book titles in audio and video formats that can be accessed by all groups.
Muksin added that the agency’s priority programs are strategic and align with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s policy to realize quality education for all.
His office is also open to collaborating with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture to provide disability-friendly Braille, audio, and video storybooks to ensure content accessibility for all groups, including the deaf and visually impaired.
On the same occasion, deputy for the coordination of family and population quality improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, informed that her office is pursuing equality in development.
Equality in development means that everyone, including people living with disabilities, can enjoy the benefits of development and have equal access, she said.
One of the things that the ministry is focusing on is the strengthening of sign language through the alignment of the Indonesian Language Sign System (SIBI) and the Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO) at national events.
Sulistyaningrum underlined that respect, protection, and fulfillment of the rights of people with disabilities and older adults, as well as efforts to strengthen their social inclusion in the development process, are being prioritized.
Meanwhile, KND Commissioner Rachmita Harahap emphasized the importance of standardization and distribution of BISINDO handbooks to special needs schools.
She further said that since there are still many teachers who do not understand BISINDO, it is necessary to accelerate the publication and distribution of the books in print, audio, and video forms.
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Translator: Hana Dewi, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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