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Schools to include Indonesian literature in curricula
Among those included in the list is a book written by renowned author Pramoedya Ananta Toer titled Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind), which was banned during President Soeharto’s authoritarian regime.
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Piece of history: A draft of 'This Earth of Mankind'. (JP/Ivan Darski)
(JP/Ivan Darski)
The government’s plan to include literary works in all learning levels from elementary to senior high has received a warm welcome from the public, as many believe it can boost students’ creativity and critical thinking.
The Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry with the help of numerous curators has listed 177 literary works to be utilized as reference materials for teachers nationwide, although the teachers can also use other sources deemed more relevant to their respective subjects.
Among those included in the list is a book written by renowned author Pramoedya Ananta Toer titled Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind), which was banned during President Soeharto’s authoritarian regime.
Pramoedya was accused of having a close ally with the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party, and was subsequently imprisoned from 1965 to 1979 on the Buru prison island.
Also on the list is a poetry collection by Wiji Thukul entitled Nyanyian Akar Rumput (The Song of Grassroots), which portrays the injustice and political tension under Soeharto’s leadership. Wiji himself was kidnapped by the regime and his whereabouts remain unknown to this date.
Read also: Nadiem defends university tuition fee hike
A high-ranking official at the education ministry, Anindito Aditomo, said the new policy would apply to all subjects starting in the next academic year. Teachers of history, for example, could incorporate literary works with a colonial era background to get students more immersed in the topic, he went on.
“I think it’s way more interesting than just memorizing the names of historical figures,” Anindito stated on Monday, as quoted by Antara.
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- Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
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