Balikpapan, 11 May 2023 — Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province via KKLP Cultivation and Language-Legal held the Improvement of Indonesian Proficiency for Indonesian Language Teachers at Junior High School Level in Balikpapan City on 10 to 11 May 2023. It aimed to disseminate EYD Edition V.
“As we (all) know, the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has launched the EYD Edition V on 16 August 2022. EYD Edition V is expected to answer linguistic phenomena that arise due to language contact and require systematic handling in the form of linguistic rules that are more adaptive, responsive, and accommodating. EYD Edition V contains several changes to existing rules and the addition of new rules. Indonesian language teachers as one of the parties play an active role in disseminating EYD Edition V need to get an in-depth understanding,” reported Ali Kusno, chair of the committee.
The Improvement was attended by 40 Indonesian language teachers from junior high schools/MTs. The participants were appointed by the Agency of Education and Culture of Balikpapan City and subject teacher conference (MGMP) of Indonesian Language for Junior High School Level in Balikpapan City.
The Head of the Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province, Halimi Hadibrata, expected that the pattern of Indonesian language coaching for teachers can be sustainable. Teachers who have received coaching related to EYD Edition V are expected to disseminate this to administrative staff, teachers, and students in their respective schools.
Furthermore, Triyuni Astuti the Head of the Elementary School Division of Education and Culture Agency (Disdikbud) of Balikpapan City said that the dissemination of EYD V was very important for Indonesian language teachers and must be disseminated in their respective schools. In addition, Triyuni said that the Disdikbud will organize similar activities by targeting elementary school teachers.
The speakers were Halimi Hadibrata, Yudianti Herawati, and Ali Kusno (Regional Office for Language) and Andy Saputra, Muhammad Arlin, and Viola Meilinda (Language Ambassadors of East and North Kalimantan). The speakers alternately delivered subjects on language and literacy policies, EYD Edition V, and the EYD application for various purposes (institutional documents, KTI, social media, and public spaces). Enthusiastically, participants followed each material and were active in discussions.
“The materials and explanations which we received from Bu Yudianti and other speakers will be used in providing dissemination for (our) fellow teachers, administrative staff, and our students at school,” one participant commented on the sidelines of the event.
The Supervisor of MGMP Bahasa Indonesia of Balikpapan City, Aimansyah, who also participated in the event, on behalf of the participants expressed his gratitude and claimed to have gained many benefits and new knowledge. “Hopefully this (kind of) activity can be held again with a wider target, longer time, and more specific material,” he added.
After receiving material during the two-day implementation, participants will become Partners of the Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province. Thus, participants will receive assistance to disseminate EYD Edition V to teachers, administrative staff, and students in their respective schools. This activity will be sustainable. Hopefully, the community can recognize and understand EYD Edition V and use Indonesian properly and correctly. (ak)
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma