Indonesia's Low Literacy Rate Threatens Future

Indonesia's human resources are hindered by a serious literacy challenge, with recent international assessments highlighting significant shortcomings. The 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the OECD revealed that Indonesian students' reading comprehension skills lag behind the average of member countries. This indicates a widespread difficulty in understanding, evaluating, and applying information from texts.

The paradox of the digital age is that while information is more accessible than ever through the internet and social media, the public's ability to critically process this information has not kept pace. Consequently, the spread of hoaxes and misinformation, coupled with a low reading culture, remains a persistent issue.

Literacy, as defined by UNESCO, extends beyond basic reading and writing. It encompasses the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, and use information across various life contexts. It forms the foundation for lifelong learning, productivity, and active societal participation. If literacy levels remain low, the repercussions will extend beyond education to economic development, democratic quality, and Indonesia's global standing, necessitating a strategic, society-wide approach.