Poor residents see no benefits in literacy

The International Literacy Day, which falls on Sep. 8, has been commemorated all over the world for 45 years, but many poor people in Jakarta remain illiterate because of a lack of awareness of the importance of reading and writing.   

Mohammad Bajuri, 27, a driver’s assistant on a Metromini bus serving the Grogol-Rawa Buaya route, said it would be pointless learning how to read and write because he could make money without such skills.

“My parents could not afford to send me to school because they were trash-pickers. Many of my friends often make fun of me, but why should I care as long as I can make money,” Mohammad told The Jakarta Post recently.

A 52-year-old domestic worker in Tangerang, Banten, also said that she did not have any interest in learning how to read and write. “My job doesn’t require these skills,” Ibu Ali said.

Born in Kampung Maja, West Jakarta, Ali said that she never had a chance to study at school when she was younger. Her father was a sidewalk vendor, and her mother did not work because the family had 10 children. As the eldest child, Ali often helped her mother take care of her younger sisters and brothers.

When Ali’s mother began working as a tailor, she was able to send the other children to state schools where they studied until graduating from junior high.

“My sisters and brothers often looked down at me, saying I didn’t know anything because I can’t read,” she said over the phone.

“I have five children and have sent them to school because I want them to have a better career than me,” she added.

However, Iwan Boyor, an activist who teaches children in slum areas, said many poor people did not recognize the importance of reading and writing.

“Parents often think what is important is for their children to learn about numbers so that they can count money,” he said.

Iwan is the coordinator of a non-governmental organization, Bengkel Ide, which offers free education for around 340 children in slum areas.

Research conducted by Bengkel Ide in April shows that there are more than 100,000 illiterate people in Jakarta, he said.

“While the city administration says the number of illiterate people is decreasing every year, we don’t believe those claims,” Iwan told the Post.

The City Education Agency had a good program to eliminate illiteracy but its implementation had often missed its targets, he said.

City administration data from last year shows that about 65,000 people over 15 years of age were illiterate, compared to about 72,000 people in 2008.

According to the National Education Ministry, 8.3 million people nationwide are still unable to read and write, and 65 percent of them are women.

Four years ago the city administration established community learning activity centers (PKBM) so that poor people could enjoy access to education, City Education Agency head Taufik Yudi Mulyanto told the Post.

The agency recorded that 35 of the centers were managed by the administration and 99 others were managed by private parties.

PKBM, which receives state funding and donations, offers free schooling under the Kejar (Study Group) program. However, according to the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), corruption had made the program ineffective. (rch)