Literacy Declines Among SDN Galih 2 Students Pasuruan, Kompas.com's "Jagat Literasi" Met With Enthusiasm

PASURUAN, KOMPAS.com - The "Jagat Literasi" program by Kompas.com received a warm welcome from teachers and students at SDN Galih 2, Pasrepan, Pasuruan Regency, East Java.

Utami Dewi (61), a senior teacher at SDN Galih 2, said the activities offered a unique learning experience for students, especially in enhancing their literacy skills and creativity.

According to Dewi, the students' enthusiasm was evident in several sessions conducted by the "Jagat Literasi" team from Kompas.com.

These sessions included reading aloud in turns, engaging in discussions, summarizing stories, as well as coloring, drawing, and assembling activities.

"I think all the sessions are excellent, Sis. Starting from the kids taking turns reading, then discussing—those activities train them to collaborate with their friends," Dewi said in a conversation with the "Jagat Literasi" team at SDN Galih 2 on Tuesday (9/22/2026).

Dewi believes every activity in the program can be applied again in regular school learning activities.

She noted that reading and discussion activities help students understand texts better while fostering cooperation among peers.

Meanwhile, drawing and coloring serve as outlets for children to express their ideas.

"When they color, it represents the children's thoughts. Whatever they have in their minds about the object, they express through their drawings," she explained.

Declining Literacy Scores Among Students

KOMPAS.com/MOHAMMAD ZAINAL SAPUTRA The Jagat Literasi program by Kompas.com received positive feedback from teachers and students at SDN Galih 2, Pasrepan, Pasuruan Regency, East Java. Senior teacher Utami Dewi (61) said the activities provided a different learning experience, particularly in developing literacy skills and creativity.

Dewi emphasized that strengthening literacy is a vital need at SDN Galih 2.

She cited the students' education report cards as evidence, revealing that literacy scores have dropped compared to the previous year.

"I took the literacy scores from the students' education reports. They dropped around 20 percent. From about 60 point something in 2024, it went down to 43 point something," Dewi said.

The school has indeed tried to cultivate a reading culture by creating reading corners in every classroom.

However, these efforts are still hampered by limited book collections.

Dewi mentioned the school did receive book donations but the amount was still insufficient to meet students' needs.

This situation limited students' choices in reading materials.

"The children might get bored reading the same books repeatedly," she said.

The school had even considered partnerships with external parties, including regional libraries, to expand their book collection.

Students Enthusiastic About Assembly Activities

Besides the literacy sessions, the assembly activity drew significant interest from students.

Dewi observed that this activity encouraged children to think and attempt to solve problems independently.

She noted that the assembly task resembles a puzzle game, where children search for the right parts to form a complete set.

"For that project, the kids try to find the pieces themselves. If they are given parts and told to assemble them, they keep trying," she said.

Students’ enthusiasm was evident as some quickly completed their assembly tasks.

Dewi explained some children were already familiar with making or playing with miniature trucks equipped with simple sound devices at home.

Because of that, they grasped how to put the parts together fairly quickly when assigned in the "Jagat Literasi" activities.

For Dewi, such activities also provide opportunities for children with varied academic abilities to stay engaged.

She believes hands-on and enjoyable non-academic activities can attract students' participation.

Hoping "Jagat Literasi" Reaches More Schools

Dewi expressed appreciation for the presence of "Jagat Literasi" by Kompas.com at SDN Galih 2.

She hopes the program will continue and expand to reach more schools, especially those in areas with limited facilities.

"We are very grateful. Hopefully, this program will continue to develop and reach many more schools in remote areas," Dewi said.

She pointed out that the need for literacy programs is not exclusive to SDN Galih 2.

She shared the story of a colleague teaching in the Kangean Islands, Sumenep Regency, Madura, who must travel around 64 kilometers round-trip through mostly forested areas to get to school.

Dewi hopes programs like "Jagat Literasi" can keep supporting schools facing limited access and educational resources.

"I see these activities are very beneficial. They support literacy efforts at schools and reach out to schools that may have limited facilities," she said.

She hopes in the future "Jagat Literasi" by Kompas.com will not only focus on reading activities but also introduce various educational programs tailored to children’s needs in those regions.

For Dewi, the presence of such programs provides additional learning experiences for students while helping schools revive literacy activities previously hindered by the lack of reading materials.