Responding to the Tragedy of Elementary School Students in NTT, Commission X of the DPR Wants PIP Coverage to be Expanded: It Must Be Precisely Targeted

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the DPR MY Esti Wijayati emphasized that the death of a primary school child in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), who allegedly committed suicide because he could not afford to buy books and pens for his school needs, should be a note for the education system in Indonesia.

He also asked the government to expand the scope of the Indonesia Smart Program (PIP) and must be given according to the target.

"We express our deep sorrow for the death of Ananda in Ngada Regency, NTT, because he felt depressed and unable to buy his school supplies. This tragic incident is a hard blow to our conscience and humanity," MY Esti Wijayati told reporters, Thursday, February 5.

As is known, a fourth grade student at an elementary school in Ngada, NTT, YBS (10) allegedly committed suicide because he was desperate to buy a pen and a book for Rp. 10,000. When he asked for money to buy books and pens, his mother MGT (47) replied that they had no money.

Esti emphasized that this event should not be seen as a normal occurrence. According to him, the humanitarian tragedy is a serious warning for the State and all stakeholders in education.

"The case in Ngada is a hard blow for all of us. A primary school child loses his life not because of war or natural disasters, but because of the inability to buy stationery. This is really unacceptable in a country that upholds human rights and the right to education," he said.

Esti also felt concerned because this incident proved that there were still Indonesian children who had obstacles in accessing basic education due to economic factors.

"In fact, education is the constitutional right of every citizen who must be fully guaranteed by the state without exception," said the PDIP legislator from the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).

Esti reminded that Article 31 paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia explicitly states that 'Every citizen has the right to education'. This provision is reiterated in Article 31 paragraph (2) which states that 'Every citizen is obliged to follow basic education and the government is obliged to finance it'.

Esti also emphasized that the constitution has also clearly regulated the commitment to education budgets. Article 31 paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution states that 'the State shall prioritize education budgets at least twenty percent of the state's revenue and expenditure budget and from the regional revenue and expenditure budget to meet the needs of national education'.

"Thus, it is very clear that the responsibility for financing basic education lies on the shoulders of the State, not on the child or his family," said Esti.

Esti reminded that there should be no Indonesian children who are hindered from going to school just because they cannot afford to buy books, pens, or other basic learning supplies.

"This tragedy in Ngada must be a momentum for a thorough evaluation of the implementation of education policies in the region, especially regarding access, equity, and bias towards children from families who are unable to afford it," he concluded.