17 Madrasas in Jepara Receive Rp17 Billion Revitalisation Grant
Jepara, Central Java — A total of 17 madrasas in Jepara Regency, Central Java, have received revitalisation assistance worth Rp17 billion through the Presidential Assistance (Banpres) programme, aimed at improving the quality of religious-based educational facilities in the town.
“The improvement of educational facility quality is expected to be accompanied by an increase in educational standards. For three regions—namely Jepara, Kudus, and Demak—a total of 41 madrasas are targeted for rehabilitation through this Banpres programme. In Jepara specifically, there are 17 madrasas, with each school receiving assistance worth Rp1 billion,” stated the Vice Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), H. Abdul Wachid, during the inauguration of the MTs Darul Ulum rehabilitation programme in Jepara on Friday.
The event was attended by the Regent of Jepara, Witiarso Utomo, and the Head of the Jepara Ministry of Religious Affairs, Akhsan Muhyiddin.
Abdul Wachid expressed his hope that better school facilities would lead to higher educational quality, emphasising that educational development should not focus solely on physical infrastructure. He noted that teacher welfare also requires urgent attention.
He highlighted the plight of madrasa and Quranic teachers who currently receive relatively low stipends. He pointed out that some teachers earn between only Rp200,000 and Rp300,000 per month, and stated that efforts are underway to advocate for an increase in their welfare to at least Rp1.5 million.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Jepara, Witiarso Utomo, stated that the development of the education sector is a primary focus for the local government. He noted that proper educational facilities are essential to support the teaching and learning process and to enhance educational quality.
“In developing the field of education, I want our children to have decent places to learn, for teachers to receive proper attention and recognition, and for the quality of learning to be continuously improved,” he said.
He emphasised that the government also aims to ensure that children from underprivileged families have the opportunity to pursue education to the highest possible level.
Witiarso mentioned that the Jepara Regency Government has allocated a grant budget of Rp11.2 billion this year. This budget is distributed to 132 educational institutions in the form of both physical and non-physical grants.
“At the same time, 390 educational units under our authority have also been designated as beneficiaries of the educational facility revitalisation programme from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education,” he added.
Furthermore, the Head of the Jepara Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, Akhsan Muhyiddin, stated that the madrasa revitalisation assistance for 17 locations in ‘Kota Ukir’ (Jepara) is the highest number in Central Java. He expressed hope that the Jepara Regency would receive a similar amount of madrasa revitalisation assistance again next year.