Bengkulu City Government Embraces Gepeng to Attend People's Schools, Only in the Socialization Stage

Archive. Beggars or gepeng on the street of the Sholaha Mosque Bridge in the City of Barabai, HST Regency, South Kalimantan. (Antaranews) - M Taupik Rahman)

Bengkulu - The Bengkulu City Government (Pemkot), Bengkulu Province, has proposed that street children, homeless people, and beggars (gepeng) who are still children to be able to participate in the People's School Program.

The proposal was made so that street children who should still be receiving education receive long-term educational treatment from the government.

"If they really need help, the government is ready to accommodate and nurture them through existing programs. The goal is so that they can have a more decent life without having to return to the streets," said Head of the Social Service (Dinsos) of Bengkulu City Afriyenita in Bengkulu, Saturday, quoted by Antara.

For this reason, his party continues to intensify the socialization of Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 7 of 2017 concerning the handling of street children, homeless people, and beggars (gepeng).

This is done to reduce the number of gepeng, he said, as well as increase public awareness so that they no longer provide assistance directly on the road.

His party also went directly to the field to conduct a survey to record and follow up the presence of gepeng at a number of points in Bengkulu City.

For the habit of giving money or assistance directly, according to him, has the potential to create dependence for gepeng. This is considered to hinder the government's efforts to provide guidance and empowerment so that they can be independent.

In addition, the Bengkulu City Social Service also reminded the public that those who were found to have violated the provisions of the regulation could be subject to sanctions in accordance with the applicable rules.

Afriyenita appealed for the public to channel social assistance through official institutions or government programs so that it is targeted.

With the socialization steps that continue to be intensified, his party hopes that the handling of street children, homeless people, and beggars can run more effectively, as well as create order and comfort in public spaces.