Government Continues Language Assistance for Literary Communities

Jakarta – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology distributed the 2024 Language and Literary Government Assistance to enhance the role of literary communities as creators of works, drivers, and supporters of literary development within society.

Secretary General of the Ministry, Suharti stated that this effort aims to provide educational services that enlighten the nation, one of which is by improving public literacy through this flagship program.

Since 2023, the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation (Badan Bahasa) has initiated the distribution of Government Assistance (Banpem) in the Language and Literature: Strengthening Literary Communities.

"This initiative by Badan Bahasa is expected to contribute to the development of literature to enhance public literacy, as well as become a sustainable and expanded program so that literary communities become strategic partners of the ministry" Suharti explained in a statement on Sunday (June 30).

The assistance includes facilitating literary communities and awards or recognition to literary figures who have dedicated themselves to the literary world, especially those who have been active for 40 years or more.

Additionally, recognition assistance is also given to appreciate literary communities or individuals for their outstanding performance in scholarly activities, including community empowerment as part of the literary ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation E. Aminudin Aziz stated that the program for providing Banpem specifically for literary communities and writers has undergone a long process and could only be implemented last year.

"The Government Assistance program was developed in agreement with Badan Bahasa and literary communities," Aziz stated.

He added, "We believe that the reach of literary communities is broader, extending to the 3T areas (frontier, outermost, and least developed regions), and we hope that this program can be accessed by many more people,"

Furthermore, the Head of the Center for Language and Literature Development and Protection Imam Budi Utomo stated that the number of applicants for Banpem in the first stage was 446 communities or individuals.

Of these applicants, 187 communities and 121 individuals uploaded their documents.

"For individuals, document uploads were carried out by the Language Offices. After the verification and judging process, only 54 literary communities and 70 individuals passed the jury assessment," he said.

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10 Juni 2025