09 September 2024
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MEDAN – The Community Service Team from Universitas Sumatera Utara conducted activities at State Elementary School No. 102132 Bangun Rejo, Dolok Merawan Village, Dolok Merawan District, Serdang Bedagai Regency.
This community service was carried out on Monday, June 24, 2024. The community service was chaired by Prof. Dr. Badaruddin, M.Si with Prof. Dr. Erika Revida, M.S as a member. Both are Professors at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara.
This community service was titled “Increasing Reading Habits in Elementary School Children to Improve the Literacy Index at State Elementary School No. 102132 Bangun Rejo, Dolok Merawan Village, Dolok Merawan District, Serdang Bedagai Regency.”
This community service activity was also assisted by alumni and students of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences USU, namely Mutia Khairani and Nurhayati (alumni, 2020 cohort students), Kayyis Lathifa Gunawan (2020 cohort student), Nurul Inayah Zul Putri, Putri Amelia, and Junhi Juwhana Sembiring (2021 cohort students).
The Head of Community Service, Prof. Dr. Badaruddin, M.Si stated that reading is a basic skill that every individual must possess, especially elementary school children. A love for reading provides many benefits, such as improving literacy skills, developing critical thinking skills, enhancing imagination, and supporting cognitive development.
"Our goal from USU in holding this activity is to foster the spirit of reading in elementary school children, because reading opens the horizons of knowledge," he said (24/6).
A love for reading must be cultivated from an early age so that its benefits can be felt in the future.
"I also motivate you (the students) to be diligent in reading, so that you can achieve your dreams. Hang your dreams as high as the stars in the sky, and to achieve them, you must be diligent and hardworking in studying, and diligent in reading. Don't forget to pray to God Almighty, respect and love your parents and teachers," said Prof. Badaruddin.
Low reading interest in children can have a negative impact on academic achievement and child development in the future. The Golden Generation 2045 will only be achieved if the love for reading is already possessed by the current young generation.
This is what concerned Prof. Dr. Badaruddin, M.Si and Prof. Dr. Erika Revida, M.S, so a continuous collaboration from various parties to increase the interest and reading skills of the younger generation becomes very important.
Prof. Dr. Badaruddin, M.Si also added that in addition to collaboration between teachers, librarians, parents, and the surrounding community, the availability of interesting reading materials is also an important factor in increasing the reading interest of elementary school children. Activities like this are expected to increase the literacy index and reading culture of the Indonesian people, which is still in the low category.
This activity was attended by approximately 31 fifth-grade students, 5 teachers, and 7 community service team members. The Community Service Team distributed reading books to the fifth-grade students.
Each student received 1 fiction book to read and was then asked to retell the storyline in their version. Before the reading activity began, the community service team also organized ice-breaking activities to boost enthusiasm and ensure focus on the upcoming activities.
The fifth-grade homeroom teacher, Armiana Dani SPd, expressed her gratitude to the community service team for this collaboration.
"We highly hope that activities like these can be sustainable in the future," she explained.
The Head of State Elementary School No. 102132 Bangun Rejo, Rachmawati, S.S.PdI, appreciated this activity because it supported increasing reading motivation and trained the students' courage to tell stories, thereby boosting student confidence.
The implementation of this activity was carried out with full warmth using lecture and Q&A methods as well as games. Most participants actively asked and answered questions, so the event ran effectively.
"It is hoped that this event will provide benefits and enhance future cooperation," she said.
