Pontianak City Government Encourages Smart Indonesia Program, Prevents Children From Breaking Up School

Illustration of schoolchildren (ANTARA)

PONTIANAK - The Pontianak City Government in West Kalimantan Province is trying to get all children in their area to go to school and no one will drop out of school due to cost problems.

Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono said that the government has implemented educational assistance programs to help children from pre-healthal school families, including assistance in the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP) and the Family Hope Program (PKH).

"I hope that through this PIP socialization, I can provide the same understanding and perception to seek information and data on children from underprivileged circles, both from the Pontianak City Social Service and directly from the surrounding environment so that no more children drop out of school," he said after opening the PIP Socialization, quoted by ANTARA, Monday.

"The PKH program that we are fighting for through the Ministry of Social Affairs has also been running, as well as scholarship programs for underprivileged children, we are also trying to do it," he said.

The mayor asked the Education and Culture Office to coordinate with the Social Service to ensure that children from families cannot afford to go to school and do not drop out of school due to cost problems.

"Especially with the existence of PIP, school-age children receive assistance which includes school supplies, school fees, and other school needs. I hope that there will be no more children who do not attend Pontianak City," he said.

The mayor also conveyed the importance of valid and accurate data support to ensure that children from poor families can access educational assistance from the government.

"We have to pick up the ball, we are not waiting for them to register," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Pontianak City Education and Culture Office, Sri Sujiharti, explained that PIP was run to help school-age children from underprivileged or vulnerable families access educational services to completing secondary education.

"Through this program, the government is trying to prevent students from likely dropping out of school and is expected to attract students to drop out of school to resume their education," he said.

Sri said that PIP is intended to ease the burden on student education costs, both direct and indirect costs.

In addition to making efforts for children from poor families to access educational assistance, the Pontianak City Government continues to strive to improve the quality of education services, including by increasing the availability of schools and supporting facilities for educational activities.