At a time when reading from smartphone screens has become part of everyday life, understanding what we read thoroughly can be increasingly challenging. This concern inspired Abiyyah Alvaro, a Grade 8 student at Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS), to explore the importance of reading more deeply and critically.
His idea earned him First Place in the Junior High School Popular Article Competition, organised by the Perkumpulan Lembaga Dakwah dan Pendidikan Islam Indonesia (PULDAPII) from August 28–30, 2026, at ICE BSD City, Tangerang.
From the perspective of a junior high school student, the issue is highly relevant. Reading is not simply about recognising words or completing pages. It also involves understanding ideas, evaluating information, making connections with context, and developing one’s own understanding.
“I chose this topic based on the experiences of people around me, including myself. Sometimes, we read without understanding the content deeply, or we only read the highlights without knowing the full details,” said Abiyyah.
PULDAPII is an organisation established to strengthen cooperation among Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah foundations and Islamic boarding schools in developing education and Islamic outreach. The organisation conducts various educational programmes and competitions, including the PULDAPII Muslim EduFest, which brings together students from different Islamic educational institutions to participate in a range of competitions.
In the Popular Article Competition, participants were challenged to develop and present their ideas in a way that could be understood by a wider audience. Abiyyah’s achievement demonstrates how literacy in an Islamic boarding school environment can extend beyond reading comprehension, encouraging students to develop independent perspectives and communicate their ideas with confidence.
Abiyyah prepared for the competition for approximately one month after school under the guidance of his mentor, Ustaz Agus Setiawan, M.Pd. During the preparation process, he refined his ideas, developed his writing, and ensured that his topic remained closely connected to the everyday experiences of readers his age.
For Thursina, competitions such as this form part of the implementation of Holistic and Balanced Education. Students not only acquire knowledge in the classroom but are also provided with opportunities to apply and test their understanding through national-level competitions while developing the ability to communicate their ideas responsibly.
This approach is further supported by the principles of World Class Teachers and Personalised Enrichment, which provide students with opportunities to develop their abilities according to their individual interests and potential. Abiyyah’s achievement illustrates how literacy skills can develop when learning, mentoring, and opportunities for competition come together.
The achievement also reflects Thursina’s RECODING Value of Inspiring. Abiyyah demonstrates how students can initiate conversations about important issues by drawing on experiences that are close to their everyday lives.
“I feel very happy and grateful because I was able to achieve something for myself and make my parents proud. In the future, I would like to participate in more events and competitions and achieve even more,” he said.
For Abiyyah, one article has been completed. Yet his journey towards reading more deeply, thinking critically, and having the courage to share his ideas has only just begun. (izz)
