PDIP Asks DKI Provincial Government Not To Transfer KJP Funds For Free School Programs

Illustration of the Smart Jakarta Card (KJP)

Member of the PDIP faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Jhonny Simanjuntak, asked the DKI Provincial Government not to divert the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) distribution budget for the free private school program.

In the plan to implement free schools for the private sector in Jakarta next year, the DKI Provincial Government opens a discourse to remove KJP because the budget will be used for the new program.

"KJP should not be deleted. We'll see again the study," said Jhonny at the DKI Jakarta DPRD Building, Central Jakarta, Friday, September 19.

The deputy chairman of the DKI DPRD in the meantime does not deny that the implementation of free schools requires a large budget. However, Jhonny assessed that the DKI Regional Budget could still finance it even though it did not eliminate the KJP program.

"I think free schools are a necessity, but social assistance for the poor must also be considered," said Jhonny.

For information, all factions in the DKI Jakarta DPRD are said to have agreed that free schools can be applied at least in 2025.

Free schools are set up on the grounds that 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 their tuition fees.

The DKI Provincial Government has also conducted a study on the implementation of free schools. The plan is that there are conditions for private schools to be included in the free school program financed by the DKI Provincial Government.

This requirement is a way for the DKI Provincial Government to anticipate the emergence of a new school by a foundation or institution just because they know that the free school program will be run in Jakarta.

"For those below, this (free school) will also make people want to create new schools. We will limit it first. For schools, it has been at least 6 years or 10 years before they can get it," said DKI Jakarta Regional Secretary Joko Agus Setyono.

The DKI Provincial Government noted that approximately 405 private schools graded A and B continue to use the education financing system they have implemented. Given that these schools have not received the distribution of education operational assistance funds (BOS).

"So, they are already independent, do not receive BOS funds from the central government. So, what we will remove are those who receive BOS funds," said Acting Head of the DKI Jakarta Education Office Budi Awaluddin.