Vice President: Digitalization Must Be in Line with the Distribution of Educators

JAKARTA - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has directed that digital transformation must be in line with the equalization of educators in Indonesia.

The statement was made by the Vice President's Secretariat (Setwapres) in Jakarta, Monday, based on the results of the Vice President's meeting with representatives of the Forum of Student Brotherhood of Sumatra (Fumas) at the Vice President's Palace, Central Jakarta, Monday, February 23.

In the statement, it was explained that this meeting discussed the strengthening of digital human resources (HR) as well as highlighting the importance of the equitable distribution of educators as the foundation for national technology transformation.

"This audience is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's direction to strengthen the quality of human resources through expanding access to education and mastering technology throughout the country," said a statement from the Presidential Secretariat as quoted by ANTARA.

During the meeting, the Vice President expressed his support for various initiatives to increase artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, including the development of coding skills for the younger generation.

However, the Vice President emphasized that strengthening technological literacy must be accompanied by the readiness of adequate and equitable educators.

Chairman of Fumas, Abdul Halim Hutabarat, after the meeting said the Vice President paid attention to the equalization of teachers in Indonesia, especially in remote areas.

"Mr. Vice President highlighted the lack of teachers in remote areas of the country," he said.

Therefore, said Halim, the Vice President advised that the strengthening of digital literacy and artificial intelligence (AI) education should not be concentrated in certain areas, but rather reach areas that still need special attention.

"We are not focusing only on the island of Sumatra, but the Vice President has directed that it is possible and mandatory to immediately go down to the regions," said Halim.

One of them is that the island areas, the Papua areas that are very far behind, are in the field of education.

Halim said Fumas explained a number of programs that were ready to be collaborated with local governments to support the strengthening of AI literacy and the development of coding in the education environment, including pesantren.

"What we deliberately bring for a meeting with Mas Gibran directly, namely by supporting the development of AI literacy, one of them, and the development of coding. We always support it and are ready to collaborate directly with the local government," he said.

Also present at the meeting were the General Secretary of Fumas Umi Ardini Nasution, Deputy General Secretary M. Farhan Wassel, General Treasurer Ahmad Al Hafidz, and Head of the Kaderisasi Division Arfin Lubis.