Indonesia Plans to Use Local Languages in Primary Schools

Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Reported by Antara, An Indonesian education official has proposed the use of local languages in primary schools as part of efforts to preserve the country’s rich linguistic diversity.

Atip Latipulhayat, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, believes that teaching in local languages during the early years of primary education would be more effective in preserving these regional languages.

“Studies have shown that teaching in local languages significantly improves learning outcomes,” Latipulhayat said after attending the 2025 National Mother Language Festival (FTBIN) in Depok, West Java, on Monday.

He emphasized that this proposal should be viewed as a strategic move to strengthen the use of regional languages by incorporating them into early childhood and primary education.

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Supporting this view, Hafidz Muksin, Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation, highlighted the agency’s efforts in revitalizing 114 local languages and dialects across 38 provinces.

“Language extinction is a serious issue that needs to be addressed thoughtfully. One of the ways to protect and preserve regional languages is by encouraging their use among native speakers through revitalization programs,” Muksin said.

He noted that these revitalization efforts have included community-based initiatives, educational programs, and performing arts. In 2024, the agency also honored 44 regional leaders for their successful language revitalization efforts.

The 2025 National Mother Language Festival (FTBIN), themed “Local Languages Support Quality Education for All,” is taking place from May 25 to 28. (BL)