A teacher from East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has passed the selection for this year’s Literacy Activist in Residence program, making him the only participant from NTT.

The Literacy Activist in Residence program is held by the Directorate General of Children and Public Education of the Education and Culture Ministry. The program, which takes place from July 10 to 13, aims to help improve literacy across the country.

The teacher, Maksimus Masan Kian, said the selection process for the program began in May. He said candidates were required to submit an essay that detailed their activity related to literacy improvement. 

The teacher at SMP 1 Lewolema state junior high school, who also runs a mini library called Taman Bacaan Mini Pelangi (TBM Pelangi) to increase children’s interest in literature, said that he only wrote about his experience managing the library.

 “I never expected that the essay would enable me to pass the selection. I only wrote about TBM Pelangi’s background, as well as the library’s activities in the essay,” Maksi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

He added that the participants were separated into two different groups and each group would be sent to different locations. 

“I got TBM Ibu Pertiwi in Nain village in North Sulawesi,” Maksi said. 

“I feel proud that I can be one of the participants since this is my first time joining this kind of program. I will use this opportunity as precious experience in developing the literacy movement in other regions,” Maksi added. (dpk)