Students In Luwu Bet Their Lives On A Rakit To Be Able To Go To School As Evidence Of Development Gap

JAKARTA - The government is urged to go directly to areas where the infrastructure does not support children's access to reach schools. Especially in remote areas.

"One of the key factors that affect the accessibility of education is adequate infrastructure. Unfortunately, many regions in Indonesia, especially those located in remote areas, still face serious challenges in terms of inadequate infrastructure," said DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, Monday, June 12.

The government's lack of attention in collecting data related to poor infrastructure can have an impact on worrying things. As happened to students of SDN 478 Barowa, Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi (Sulsel).

Students are risking their lives to cross the river with rafts made of rackets to get to school. Students at the school have been using rafts since the past month because the pedestrian bridge was damaged by the flood. In fact, it is reported that a number of students fell while crossing the raft of the snake.

"This reality is also an irony for all of us. When massive development occurs in other big cities and cities, there are still our children who have to go to school with very worrying facilities," continued Puan.

Puan asked the Regional Government and schools to provide dispensation and alternative learning systems for the time being. Puan reminded that the collapsed bridge was not the student's fault, so the impact should not be imposed on them.

"At least schools can provide subject matter that allows these students to study independently at home 2 or 3 times a week so they don't have to go to school every day for a while," he said.

"Or it can also be done by implementing an online learning system like what was done when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The government must be able to present solutions that do not harm students to study," added Puan.

In order for incidents like this not to happen again, the Government needs to periodically evaluate the feasibility of infrastructure in the regions. In addition, Puan asked that the implementation of regional development programs must pay attention to existing urgency.

"There are still many school students in areas that have to pass through quiet areas, farming areas and hills with quite difficult road terrain every day to reach schools," he said.

Puan said that the struggle of children in the regions should not be wasted and must be supported by the availability of infrastructure and facilities that are worthy of being realized by the local government. He reminded that proper education is a constitutional mandate and children's rights must be fulfilled.

"The government needs to develop policies that support the development of education infrastructure, adequate budget allocations, and optimize synergies between the central and regional governments in dealing with this problem," said Puan.

The winner of the two Honoris Causa Doctorate degrees assesses that investment in infrastructure development and adequate facilities in the regions is a long-term investment for the future of the nation's next generation. Puan said, these children will advance the country as a whole.

"The government must ensure that schools in remote areas have quality teachers, adequate learning facilities, and equitable education programs as our investment in the successors of this nation," he explained.