Diksasindo Teaching Unit from the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program Student Association, Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Brawijaya (FCS UB) held a “Reading Outlet”, Saturday (04/26/2025), at Malang City Square.
The Head of Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program Student Association (Diksasindo) Maulana Fardan Alhamdi explained that this educational social activity was an idea from students as a form of concern for the lack of national literacy culture in Indonesia. In addition, it also serves as a place for practical learning for students.
“This is not just an educational activity, but also a medium for fellow students to practice their teaching and communication skills in the field,” said Alan.
In this activity, Diksasindo students set up a booth that provides children’s story books in the playground area of Malang Square. The story books provided are the result of thorough preparation and collaboration with literacy partners, including children’s book providers and reading communities. The available collections are dominated by picture story books, fables, and folk tales.
“We invite children in the playground area to choose reading books at the Reading Booth. Then we accompany them to read books, helping if there are any who cannot read. Next, we provide material in the form of fairy tales from one of the books, and interact with the children about the contents of the story, such as who the characters are, what the moral of the story is, and other intrinsic elements of a story,” explained Alan.
The children were also invited to play educational games so they wouldn’t get bored, and received snacks as a form of gratitude for their participation.
The Reading Outlet has been routinely held since 2023, and is held three times in each management period. The 2025 period was held on April 13, 19, and 26, 2025, involving 15 Diksasindo students in each activity.
The public response to this activity was very positive. Several parents were enthusiastic in encouraging their children to get involved. “There were parents who shared about their children’s behavior with us,” explained Nakeisya, Deputy Chairperson of Diksasindo Teaching Unit.
A Friendly, fun literacy activities that can be directly accessed by people from various backgrounds are one of their visions and missions. The Chairperson of Diksasindo Teaching Unit, Stevanie added that the town square was chosen as the activity point because of its open nature and accessibility to all groups.
“We want to reach children from various backgrounds, not just those who are already close to educational access,” she said.
Responding to the students’ readiness during the practice, Supervising Lecturer, Maulfi Syaiful Rizal, M.Pd., said that the students had been equipped with theory and practice since the first semester and received intensive guidance before going directly into the field.
“If we talk about learning activities in public spaces, of course there will be challenges. But from what I have observed, the students have been prepared through learning since semesters one to four, including basic language skills and teaching practice. In addition, they also received special guidance before the activity conducted. So, I think they are quite ready,” explained Maulfi.
Maulfi also saw great potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration in the development of the Reading Outlet in the future, not only from Diksasindo students. “If we can collaborate, for example with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for science topics, or Communication Sciences for children’s public speaking, even foreign languages to introduce new vocabulary, it will have a very good impact on the development of children’s literacy,” he added.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining the basic values of this activity so that the spirit of literacy and education that is built remains sustainable. “The important thing is to know the vision and mission of Diksasindo Study Program, as long as it is maintained, whoever the driver is, this activity will remain alive and meaningful,” he concluded.
With the successful implementation in public spaces such as the town square, Reading Outlet shows that literacy can be present anywhere and by anyone, as long as the spirit of sharing knowledge is maintained.
Other innovations from Diksasindo Teaching are also being prepared for a follow-up program entitled Literacy Challenge which will target teenagers in literacy cafes. Information related to the implementation of activities can also be accessed directly on their social media on Instagram @diksasindo.mengajar. [MEL/MIT/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
