In West Sulawesi, High School/vocational Students Must Read 20 Books As A Requirement For Passing

West Sulawesi requires high school/vocational students to read 20 books for graduation requirements (Unsplash.com Photo)

West Sulawesi Governor Suhardi Duka made a new policy to increase student literacy. He requires every high school/vocational school student equivalent in West Sulawesi to read at least 20 books as a graduation requirement.

"Every high school/vocational school student equivalent is required to read at least 20 book titles during their study period as part of literacy coaching, as well as graduation requirements," said Suhardi Duka in Mamuju, quoting ANTARA, Sunday, July 13.

This step is strengthened through the Circular Letter of the Governor of West Sulawesi Number: 000.4.14.1/174//11/2025, dated July 5, 2025, addressed to all regional heads, regional apparatus and vertical agencies throughout West Sulawesi.

Two of them must be read, namely books about Andi Depu and Baharuddin Lopa, two figures from West Sulawesi who have made important history for the nation.

Not only in the school environment, the Governor also instructed all government agencies, both at the provincial and district levels, to provide reading corners or mini libraries.

"The management is carried out by each agency as an effort to foster literacy culture in the workplace," said Suhardi Duka.

In addition, schools, ranging from elementary to SMA/SMK levels and madrasas, are instructed to arrange routine visits to libraries, at least once a week for students.

Local governments are also asked to ensure that each school has a decent library with a diverse collection of books, not limited to package books only.

To support this movement, the Governor of West Sulawesi also opened a space for the use of School Operational Cost (BOS) funds in accordance with Permendikbudristek Number 63 of 2023, to support library facilities and infrastructure.

The governor emphasized the need to prepare reading corner managers and school libraries, as part of a sustainable literacy support system.

"This movement is one of the real efforts of the West Sulawesi Provincial Government in building literacy generation as a foundation for regional development towards West Sulawesi Maju and Prosperous," said Suhardi Duka.