19 Child-Friendly Libraries Present in Nagekeo NTT Ahead of the 78th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence

Dream - Pelangi Reading Garden together with the Regional Government of Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), inaugurated child-friendly libraries in 19 elementary schools (SD). This activity is part of a series of events to welcome the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence.

The series of library inauguration events has been taking place since early August 2023. A total of 19 elementary schools can now enjoy better reading places, such as SDI Mbay, SDK Penginanga, SDN Anakoli, SDN Nido, SDK Daja, SDI Boki, SDK Doki, SDK Majamere, SDK Ngedu, SDK Wolokoli, SDI Dombe, SDI Madambake, SDI Ndora, SDN Aegela, SDK Lena, SDK Kota, and SDN Ndetunura.

"I appreciate the commitment and consistency of Pelangi Reading Garden in continuously improving the reading culture in this regency. Now is the time for communities in each school to maximize the use of the library by encouraging children to borrow and read books," said the Regent of Nagekeo Regency, Johanes Don Bosco Do in his statement on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

Quoting the Center for Data and Information Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia regarding the 2022/2023 Elementary School Statistical Data, there are 1,199 Elementary Schools in NTT that still do not have libraries. School libraries play an important role in improving children's reading abilities.

The Indonesian Student Competency Assessment Survey conducted by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2016 showed that 47% of 4th grade students in Indonesia cannot read independently yet.

"Pelangi Reading Garden wants to bring positive changes in the field of education, especially in terms of reading interest and reading abilities of children in remote areas of Indonesia. This can be achieved through collaboration with various parties and layers of society," said Devi Monita Kristyningsih, Project Manager of Pelangi Reading Garden.

After the library is established, Pelangi Reading Garden continues to assist schools in library management and reading activities until the schools become truly independent in implementing literacy improvement in schools.