Govt Preserves Linguistic Diversity Within National Education System

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The 2026 National Mother Tongue Festival (FTBIN) adopted the theme “Voices of Mother Tongue Seeds in Multilingual Education” as part of efforts to preserve Indonesia’s linguistic diversity within the national education system. Organized by the Language Development and Fostering Agency under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education at Jakarta on Monday, May 25, 2026, the event was held as part of the National Education Day commemorations.

Head of the Language Development and Fostering Agency, Hafidz Muksin, said this year’s FTBIN was organized to demonstrate that Indonesia’s education system is becoming increasingly inclusive of regional linguistic and cultural diversity. According to him, the preservation of regional languages is no longer viewed merely as a cultural activity, but as an important component of the national education system.

“We celebrate National Education Month not by standardizing identities, but by nurturing the uniqueness of every mother tongue spoken across Indonesia,” he said.

He affirmed that language and literature development has become one of the priority pillars of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The regional language revitalization program is also being implemented in stages, from schools to the provincial level.

The festival brought together participants from various regions across Indonesia. A total of 78 invited participants represented 78 regional languages or dialects, while independent participants came from 14 provinces, supported by hundreds of mentors from education offices, schools, and parents.

According to him, FTBIN also serves as a platform of appreciation for young people who are increasingly confident in using regional languages in public spaces. He viewed this development as a sign that Indonesia’s education system can advance alongside technological progress without abandoning its cultural roots.

“Their innocent voices will become symbols of proud sons and daughters echoing throughout this hall, and we will enjoy the most beautiful symphony signaling that our education is moving in the right direction, advancing with technology while remaining grounded in tradition,” he said.

He expressed hope that regional language revitalization efforts would continue sustainably so that mother tongues remain alive and can be passed on to future generations. “Regional language revitalization must be sustained to ensure regional languages remain preserved,” he said.