CREATING A LEARNING SOCIETY THROUGH A CULTURE OF LITERACY

In the realm of education, reading is a fundamental cornerstone in all aspects of the learning process. Reading is one of the skills that significantly enhances students' abilities both in academic contexts and daily life. Therefore, a child who is able to read can fulfill other educational objectives. The ability to enhance critical thinking skills, uncover children's talents and potential, improve concentration, and boost academic performance can be achieved through reading proficiency. The literacy culture among students encompasses their habits and attitudes towards reading, writing, and processing information to enhance their understanding and knowledge.

 
The culture of student literacy is a crucial phenomenon in the field of education, as it fosters a generation that is educated and critical of the information they receive. In a student literacy culture, students are expected to develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. This aims to broaden their horizons, enhance their thinking abilities, and improve their comprehension of the texts they read. The culture of student literacy involves intensive reading activities, both inside and outside of school. Students are expected to become active readers who can select and evaluate various types of reading materials relevant to their interests and needs. In a student literacy culture, reading is not just about decoding words but also about understanding and interpreting the texts read. 

Through reading, students can develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and imagination. Besides reading, the culture of student literacy also includes writing activities. Students are expected to write well and meaningfully, and to be able to express their ideas and thoughts clearly and coherently. Writing can also help students hone their critical thinking skills, organize their ideas, and convey information effectively. In a literacy culture, writing is not merely a task or assignment but a daily habit that is continuously improved. Therefore, as an initial step to cultivate a literacy culture within society, it is necessary to create an environment that encourages this culture, eventually making reading a habitual practice within the community. 

The first is Cultivating Reading Habits at Home. To foster individual habits, it is essential to start from the basics, namely within the family environment. In this setting, parents play the primary role in introducing habits, particularly reading habits. Parents can introduce reading habits to their children through storytelling. The essence of a reading culture is not only about reading but also about listening and understanding. Through storytelling, children receive new information and can enhance their cognitive abilities. Additionally, storytelling can improve the child's emotional and developmental growth. 

The second is Establishing Reading Houses as Public Facilities. Even when libraries are established, not all members of the community may be inclined to visit them. This is often because libraries are perceived as having a collection of 'heavy' reading materials, deterring potential visitors. To address this, community members and literacy culture activists have introduced a creative solution by providing reading houses or mobile reading parks. A reading house is a type of Community Reading Park (TBM). It can be defined as a non-formal educational service that offers various sources of information to the public. Reading houses or parks present a simple and comfortable reading environment for individuals who wish to read. 

In other words, reading houses provide access to information to the broader community. Therefore, their presence is crucial in delivering services and supporting the community's need for knowledge. Community Reading Parks are expected to offer a better service system. Hence, with the existence of reading houses, it is hoped that the need for information sources, such as books, comics, and magazines, will be fulfilled. Moreover, reading houses serve as one of the factors driving the community's reading interest. 

Thus, fostering a learning society through a culture of literacy can be cultivated if it starts from the home environment. Even if it does not begin at an early age, developing the habit of reading at home is essential. Not only at home, the habit of reading can also be practiced anywhere, including in public facilities that are provided.