Central Java partnership schools facilitate 3,663 underprivileged students

Semarang (ANTARA) - The partnership school programme, a policy providing free education for students from near-poor families to attend private senior high schools (SMA) and vocational schools (SMK) this year, has supported at least 3,663 students.

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi said in Semarang on Monday that the number of students supported by the partnership school programme continues to grow.

The 3,663 students comprise 1,063 attending general senior high schools (SMA) and 2,600 attending vocational senior high schools (SMK).

He repeatedly encouraged them not to feel inferior because of their economic circumstances or family backgrounds.

“It is fine for us to attend different schools, fine for us to have different backgrounds, but your future is what you determine. Don’t be disheartened, don’t feel inferior. Keep your spirits up,” he said.

According to him, economic circumstances must not cause a child to lose the opportunity to obtain an education. “They must remain in school and must not drop out. Schooling must not stop merely because a family is less well off,” he said.

The partnership school programme reflects the government’s responsibility to guarantee education for children from underprivileged families.

The students he met come from varied backgrounds. Some are children of angkringan street-food vendors, motorcycle taxi drivers and manual labourers, as well as children who have lost their parents or are raised by relatives.

“Yet they remain enthusiastic about going to school. This is a form of the state’s responsibility to always provide guarantees and certainty of education for them,” he said.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the Central Java Provincial Government is partnering with 139 private schools, consisting of 56 SMA and 83 SMK.

In Semarang City specifically, 51 students were admitted through the partnership school programme, spread across UPGRIS Laboratory Senior High School with 24 students, SMK Bina Nusantara with 21 students, and SMK Ibu Kartini with six students.

At the event, 55 students also received school supplies and shoes, while parents received staple food packages from the Central Java National Zakat Agency (Baznas).

He also asked school principals and teachers to ensure the school orientation period (MPLS) takes place safely, humanely and enjoyably.

“No more hazing, no more bullying, and certainly nothing that creates feelings of inferiority. School should not be frightening, but must be a pleasant place so that children feel comfortable,” he said.