The national language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, although there are hundreds of languages and dialects spoken by different ethnic groups. In 1977, more than 26 million Indonesians were illiterate in their national language. Present efforts to eradicate illiteracy include construction of 10,000-15,000 primary schools annually since 1973 and the promotion of nonformal educational programs. Indonesia is now committed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization-coordinated Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL) involving universalization of primary education, eradication of illiteracy, and continuing education. Planning for literacy involves the central, provincial, district/municipality, and subdistrict levels. Curriculum development strives for a balance between the areas of specific local needs and areas of national core content derived from national goals and common problems. Basic education includes functional knowledge that can be used to raise the standard of living; certain skills that may be used as capital to earn a living; and mental attitudes toward innovation and development that are crucial to social change and economic growth. The "Kejar" approach to illiteracy eradication is that nonformal learning groups be formed in order to catch up the spheres of life in which they are behind, including the social, economic, and political spheres. The learning materials called Package A are equal to a plus-minus primary school curriculum. Package B materials will cover junior high school curriculum, including materials on skills relevant to earning a living. Managers, literacy volunteers, and learning centers are involved in Indonesia's efforts to eradicate illiteracy. (CML)