All DKI DPRD Factions Agree That KJP Will Be Diverted To Free Schools

Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) Plus (doc DKI Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - Secretary of Commission E of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Jhonny Simanjuntak, said that all factions in the DKI DPRD agreed to the free school policy plan in Jakarta, especially private schools of grade C and D.

The implementation of this free school is proposed by Commission E of the DKI DPRD for the purpose of equitable education. The plan is that the KJP Plus budget can be diverted to run the free school program.

"All of us, the factions in the DPRD have all agreed. We have agreed, because what is considered is how to study for 12 years is not only jargon, but we can implement it through this free school," Jhonny told reporters, Wednesday, July 17.

In fact, according to Jhonny, the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta also approved the proposed free school. The DKI Provincial Government is currently reviewing the mechanism.

"The governor's PJ also formally discussed it with me, he also strongly agreed to that. We just have to close ranks in the executive," said Jhonny.

On that occasion, Jhonny revealed the reason his party proposed free schools. So far, the DPRD often receives complaints from underprivileged families, ranging from cases of dropping out of school to diplomas being detained by private schools because they have not paid tuition fees.

"If this happens, it means that the state is ignorant. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is also negligent and also does not have a sense of crisis with the poor," said Jhonny.

From this condition, Jhonny saw that the distribution of educational assistance such as the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) had not been able to solve the education problem in Jakarta.

Moreover, Jhonny assessed that the DKI Provincial Government was still able to allocate additional budget from the APBD if the KJP funds were diverted to free schools.

"I think with the DKI Jakarta APBD which is more than Rp. 82 trillion, yes, DKI Jakarta I think it can be an example for other provinces, because this is a necessity. With this KJP, it does not solve the problem," he added.