Indonesia’s education system is facing renewed concern after reports revealed that, despite rapid digitalization, some junior and senior high school students still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. The issue was highlighted by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, who described the situation as deeply concerning. Through the School Orientation Program (MPLS), the government is encouraging schools to conduct literacy and numeracy assessments to identify students’ competency levels, allowing teachers to provide more targeted and effective learning support.
A similar challenge has emerged in Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, where the results of the Academic Competency Test (TKA)—Indonesia’s national academic assessment—revealed a significant gap in the abilities of newly enrolled senior high school and vocational school students. While some students achieved excellent results, others were found to be struggling with basic reading and arithmetic. The findings have prompted local education authorities to provide additional academic assistance so that all students can build a solid learning foundation before progressing to more advanced secondary-level subjects.
The issue underscores the importance of strengthening foundational literacy, which aligns with the Indonesian government’s commitment to developing six essential literacy competencies: reading and writing, numeracy, science, digital, financial, and cultural and civic literacy. Without these core competencies, young people may struggle to think critically, solve problems systematically, and adapt to the demands of an increasingly knowledge-based society.
One initiative helping address this challenge is Kipin (Kios Pintar), an Indonesian digital education platform designed to improve access to quality learning resources. Kipin provides thousands of educational materials, including textbooks, educational videos, interactive content, and digital learning resources that support both students and the wider community in developing essential literacy skills.
To encourage reading habits, Kipin has produced more than 500 educational literacy comics covering subjects such as history, science, health, etiquette, and character education. By presenting educational content through engaging stories and illustrations, the platform helps children develop a stronger interest in reading while learning in an enjoyable and meaningful way. These resources are available for learners of all ages, from preschool to senior high school.
Kipin also places a strong emphasis on numeracy by offering more than 150 numeracy literacy books presented through illustrated stories and practical case studies. This approach helps learners understand mathematical concepts and apply them to real-life situations, making mathematics more accessible and less intimidating.
To further enhance learning, every resource on Kipin is complemented by practice exercises and annotation features that encourage active participation, improve comprehension, and promote independent learning. Through the Kipin School 4.0 application, users can access thousands of digital books and interactive educational resources, demonstrating how technology can play a meaningful role in improving educational quality. Thanks to its comprehensive content library and flexible implementation, Kipin can be adopted not only in schools and educational institutions but also in public spaces, expanding learning opportunities for communities across Indonesia.
Addressing Indonesia’s literacy challenge requires close collaboration between government policies and innovative educational technology. By strengthening foundational literacy from an early age through accessible digital learning platforms such as Kipin, Indonesia can help ensure that every student graduates with essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills. Such efforts will play an important role in achieving the country’s long-term vision of building a highly educated and globally competitive Golden Generation of Indonesia.
For More Information:
🌐 Website: kipin.id
📧 Email: info@kipin.id
📱 WhatsApp: +62 812-3360-1047
