DPRD Reveals Many Children Still Drop Out of School, Pramono: If They Don't Want to or Can't Afford the Costs, We'll Solve It

JAKARTA - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung responded to findings by members of the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) regarding the continued high number of school dropouts in Jakarta. Pramono stated that he would investigate these children.

"If they drop out, we will investigate further," Pramono said after a plenary meeting at the Jakarta DPRD building in Central Jakarta on Monday, August 4.

According to Pramono, the Jakarta Provincial Government has routinely provided educational assistance in the form of the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) to students. This is done to reduce their school costs.

"We have distributed the KJP to 707,622 students. We even waived their diplomas," Pramono said.

However, if there are still children dropping out, the Jakarta Provincial Government will find a solution. "If there are still dropouts, whether they drop out because they don't want to go to school or can't afford the costs, we will resolve the problem," he continued.

In today's plenary meeting of the Jakarta DPRD, Lukmanul Hakim, a member of the PAN faction of the Jakarta DPRD, admitted to receiving reports of a high number of children dropping out.

While visiting his electoral district and meeting with residents, Lukmanul mentioned that at least 15 children in one neighborhood unit (RW) in West Jakarta were no longer able to attend school.

Therefore, Lukmanul asked Pramono and the Jakarta Provincial Government to seriously improve the data collection of low-income residents who are targeted for assistance. The fact is, many poor people still haven't received social assistance.

"I specifically request, through the Speaker of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) and the Governor, that the data collection be truly targeted, because there are still many children who need a school environment," Lukmanul explained.