Source: Sania Mashabi, Mahar Prastiwi – Editorial Team
KOMPAS.com – The government is once again promoting the habit of students writing by hand on paper. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, stated that this habit will be combined with the use of technology in schools, such as Interactive Flat Panels (IFP).
“We are reactivating writing activities now. For example, students can watch lessons using the available IFP, watch films or educational video content, but afterward they will create summaries by hand,” he said.
Handwriting can train motor skills
“We also encourage assignments that involve reading books, not just doing exercises,” he added.
According to him, writing by hand rather than typing indirectly helps develop hand motor skills while also stimulating students’ brain activity.
Especially in organizing and expressing ideas in written form.
“We are now returning to that approach, combining modern learning technologies with what could be called a traditional learning system,” he said.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto called for the reintroduction of writing lessons in schools. He asked the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) to review the matter.
“I ask that this be reconsidered, Minister. I think it is necessary to bring back writing lessons—writing properly, writing neatly—and in fact, the writing should be larger,” said Prabowo during his speech at a plenary cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace complex in Central Jakarta on Monday (20/10/2025).
He emphasized that handwriting should be large, expressing concern that students might develop nearsightedness due to writing too small.
“The writing must be large. Children should be taught to write big. I’m concerned that if they write very small, they will all end up wearing glasses,” he said.
Free book distribution to schools
In addition, Prabowo asked the Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, to distribute free books to schools.
According to him, many students face financial difficulties and try to save paper, something he observed during visits to various regions.