Child of Waste Picker in Tangerang Unable to Attend School Due to Parents' Lack of Identity Documents

In Tangerang, behind the artistic talent possessed by Agista Saputri (10) lies a harsh reality that has marked her upbringing.

The youngest daughter of Roni Hidayatna (45) and Wagiyem (38) has never experienced formal education.

Not because she is unwilling to attend school, but because of the absence of family identity documents required as a basic administrative prerequisite.

“It’s because we don’t have identity documents. We have no identity,” said Roni when met by Kompas.com at his residence on Jalan Raden Fatah, Ciledug, Tangerang City.

“We don’t have any of it—national ID cards, family registration certificates, or birth certificates,” he added.

He himself expressed a strong desire to enrol his children in school, including Agista’s older sibling who is already 15 years old.

Agista’s older sibling faces the same predicament, having never attended formal education. The reason is likewise the lack of identity documents.

According to Roni, these documents should be processed in his hometown in Lampung.

However, financial constraints represent the principal obstacle.

“We don’t even have the money for the travel costs to go back home. We would have to process them in Lampung,” he said.

During this time, Agista has frequently accompanied both parents in collecting waste materials to help meet the family’s daily needs.

However, since her story went viral on social media, public and government attention has begun to materialise.

Roni stated that Banten Governor Andra Soni had advised that Agista should no longer be taken to work and should focus on education instead.