Indonesia is home to a remarkable 817 regional languages, with the highest concentration found in Papua, which boasts around 400 of these languages. This statistic was shared by Abdul Mu'ti, the Minister of Education and Culture, during the inauguration of the Language Center in Bengkulu on February 27, 2025. He emphasized the cultural richness offered by these languages and the necessity of their integration as local content within educational curriculums across the nation.
Mu'ti noted, "Regional languages not only serve as markers of cultural identity but also play significant roles in effective language learning for children." He expressed hope for educational institutions to embrace these languages formally, creating educational standards and assessments beyond mere academics, thereby fostering proficiency and identity.
Bengkulu, with its diverse linguistic heritage, includes three main regional languages: Bengkulu, Enggano, and Rejang, along with various dialects such as Pekal, Nasal, and Serawai. Dwi Laily Sukmawati, head of the Bengkulu Language Center, outlined initiatives aimed at revitalizing these languages through coordination with stakeholders, development of teaching materials, and various community activities. Efforts include festivals, bilingual literature, and content creation using regional languages to keep them alive.
Meanwhile, during the celebration of International Mother Language Day on February 21, 2025, also addressed by Mu'ti, strategies for the preservation and development of regional languages were discussed. During the event at SMPN 1 Turi, Yogyakarta, Mu'ti highlighted four key strategies. These include employing regional languages as local educational content, encouraging their use in everyday interactions, opting for Indonesian over foreign languages when appropriate translations exist, and leveraging these languages for artistic expression and scientific knowledge.
Mu'ti praised students at SMPN 1 Turi for their proficiency in Javanese, stating, "You all have become good examples of implementing local culture, and may you grow up to be successful individuals." The choice of this school for the celebration was unsurprising, as it has recently been honored as the best school for preserving Javanese language during the Tunas Bahasa Ibu Festival.
This celebration, aligned with UNESCO's goal to promote awareness of language's significance, focuses on enhancing communication and social cohesion. Hafidz Muksin, head of the Language Agency, pointed to the importance of raising awareness of the educational role of language and its influence on societal interactions.
Hospita Henny Koerniati, principal of SMPN 1 Turi, noted the strong commitment from the Ministry of Education and Culture to bolster language revitalization projects. Their initiative includes mandatorily using Javanese for classroom instruction and social interactions every Thursday, demonstrating practical steps toward cultural preservation.
With both institutional support and community engagement, language revitalization efforts reflect Indonesia’s commitment to preserving its rich linguistic diversity. The country recognizes languages as not just communication tools but as integral parts of its identity and heritage.