Agustina-Iswar Leadership Expands Educational Access and Returns Withheld Diplomas
Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng, together with her Vice Mayor Iswar Aminuddin, has prioritised education during their first year in office. This commitment is evident in assistance programmes enabling children from low-income families to attend school, the resolution of withheld diplomas held back for years, and operational support for private school teachers.
The flagship “Semarang Cerdas” (Smart Semarang) programme forms one important foundation within the five-pillar development agenda championed by the Agustina-Iswar partnership: Semarang Bersih (Clean), Semarang Sehat (Healthy), Semarang Cerdas (Smart), Semarang Makmur (Prosperous), and Semarang Tangguh (Resilient). These five pillars are integrated into mutually reinforcing work programmes, creating a cycle of sustainable transformation.
“Education is the key to the future. We want every child in Semarang, whoever they are and from whatever family, to have equal opportunity to attend school and achieve. Semarang Cerdas is a manifestation of our commitment to leave no child behind in this city,” said Agustina on Friday, 20 February 2026.
The programme’s results are evident: Semarang’s Human Development Index (HDI) for 2025 reached 85.80, placing it in the very high category and making it the highest in Central Java. The average length of schooling for Semarang residents stands at 11.11 years, demonstrating increasingly open educational access. Citizen satisfaction with Agustina-Iswar’s performance reached 83.6 per cent according to Kompas Research and Development Survey.
School Fee Arrears Paid, Children Can Now Study with Peace of Mind
One persistent problem in education is unpaid school fees that cause children anxiety about expulsion from school. Throughout 2025, the city government paid school fee arrears for 122 children from 15 schools in Semarang, totalling Rp 71.393 million. These are children from low-income families who had been burdened by school debt.
Although 1,053 children are still recorded as having outstanding school fees, the government remains committed to finding solutions to prevent any children dropping out of school due to financial reasons.
“I do not want any Semarang child to fail to advance to the next class or collect their report card because their parents cannot pay school fees. Education is their right, and the state must be present,” said Agustina.
Free Private Schools: Government Covers Operational Costs
The Semarang city government has also given significant attention to private schools. Through the P-BOSP programme (Financing Assistance for Private School Operational Costs), thousands of private school pupils receive cost relief.
2025 data shows:
41 private kindergartens with 2,148 pupils received assistance of Rp 1.2 million per child per year
47 private primary schools with 7,770 pupils received assistance of Rp 1.5 million per child per year
44 private junior secondary schools with 6,422 pupils received assistance of Rp 1.8 million per child per year
Thousands of pupils from disadvantaged families can now attend private school without worrying about costs. The government also provides property tax relief for 35 private schools to enable them to focus on improving educational quality.
In 2025, this free private school programme covered 129 schools overall with a budget of Rp 25.79 billion. Plans call for expansion to 135 schools in 2026.
Additionally, the government provides operational assistance to 1,482 uncertified private school teachers. This assistance is hoped to improve teacher welfare and motivation in teaching.
“Private schools are partners with government in educating the nation’s children. We want them to be strong, their teachers to be prosperous, and their pupils to study comfortably,” said Agustina.
These efforts have succeeded in reducing dropout rates. Based on 2025 data, the dropout rate at primary level is 0 per cent and at junior secondary level is only 0.01 per cent—exceptionally low figures.
Withheld Diplomas Finally Distributed, Children’s Futures Reopened
Another persistent problem is diplomas withheld by schools for various reasons, typically related to costs. A diploma is the gateway to continuing education or applying for employment. Without it, a child’s future can be hindered.
The city government acted quickly. Throughout 2025, 374 diplomas were successfully distributed to their rightful owners from 36 schools in Semarang.
However, significant work remains. There are still 10,335 diplomas withheld at various schools. The government is committed to continuing to drive resolution of this problem so that no Semarang child’s future is hindered simply by a diploma.
“A diploma is a child’s right, not collateral. I am asking schools not to withhold their pupils’ diplomas. If there is a financial problem, we will find solutions together. What matters is that the child can continue their future,” she said.
Scholarships for Low-Income High-Achieving Pupils and Students
The Semarang city government has allocated scholarships for pupils and students from low-income families who achieve academically. In 2025, the data on beneficiaries of this programme is as follows:
2,649 primary pupils received Rp 600,000 per year
1,129 junior secondary pupils received Rp 900,000 per year
468 senior secondary pupils received Rp 1.2 million per year
12 high-achieving low-income university students received Rp 6 million per year
These scholarships are expected to ease parents’ financial burden and motivate children to continue achieving.
For 2026 targets, the government will expand the scholarship programme as follows:
Primary school scholarships for low-income pupils: 8,834 pupils
Junior secondary school scholarships for low-income pupils: 2,594 pupils
Senior secondary school scholarships for low-income pupils: 1,635 pupils
Higher education scholarships for low-income high-achieving pupils: 59 pupils
Scholarships for high-achieving pupils: 35 pupils
“Children who are intelligent but from low-income families must be ensured to continue schooling. This scholarship is an investment in Semarang’s future. They will later become leaders and drivers of this city,” said Agustina.