Being aware that literacy can be a medium for character building, two lecturers of Department of Communication Science of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) Dr. Filosa Gita Sukmono and Dr. Fajar Junaedi conducted a literacy activity on Sunday (28/4) at SD Muhammadiyah Karangturi, Bantul. It aimed to facilitate elementary teachers to write their experience in implementing character building. The writings, then, were compiled to be a book entitled ‘Menyemai Pendidikan Karakter, Merawat Sekolah Inklusif’ (Instilling Character Building, Caring of Inclusive Schools).

“Teachers immediately apply character building, and many of their best practice are interesting to share,” stated Filosa. He added that the one-and-half-month literacy activity comprised of several stages, namely writing workshop, book editing, book publishing, and book launching,” explained Filosa.

35 elementary teachers participated in the book writing. They could write almost 200 pages. “They are teachers of SD Muhammadiyah Karangturi and other elementary schools. The literacy program is a community program funded by Office of Research, Publication, and Community Service of UMY,” Filosa added. He told that the program aimed to embody catur dharma perguruan tinggi (four principles of higher education), namely community service and Muhammadiyah teaching.

Interestingly, Ministry of Education of the Republic of Indonesia Prof. Dr. Muhadjir Effendy and Rector of UMY Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P. and Headmaster of SD Muhammaduyah Karangturi Indrawasih, S.E., S.Pd. wrote the preface of the book. “The book writing experience will be valuable for teachers particularly to character building and develop inclusive schools,” maintained Indrawasih.