Fendi from Gunungkidul Resumes Schooling After Caring for Ill Mother

Ahmad Tri Efendi (10), a boy from Jeruken, Girisekar, Panggang, Gunungkidul, who dropped out of school to care for his ill mother, has finally returned to school. The boy, often called Fendi, began attending school again today.

“Fendi went back to school earlier,” said the head of RT 06 Jeruken, Wahono, when contacted by detikJogja on Monday (30/3/2026).

Wahono said Fendi’s desire to return to school today stemmed from persuasion by all parties, particularly his family. Additionally, the school fully facilitated Fendi’s educational needs.

“It was persuasion from everyone, including the family persuading him, and from the school as well; the school also provided Fendi with complete uniforms,” he stated.

In addition to persuasion from family and the school, Wahono mentioned that encouragement from close friends also influenced Fendi’s willingness to return to school.

“Then from his friends, the closest friend invited him. And the community encouraged Fendi to return to school so that his future would be better,” he said.

Previously reported, the Gunungkidul District Ministry of Religious Affairs Office waived all fees and charges for Fendi while he attends school.

The Head of the Gunungkidul Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, Mukotip, said Fendi previously attended one of the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah in Girisekar. Therefore, Mukotip considered it his responsibility to ensure Fendi returns to school.

“Coincidentally, Fendi is one of our students because he attends Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. They must be helped from various angles. It’s not just that Fendi doesn’t want to go to school, but it’s the effect of the family’s economic condition,” he told reporters in Wonosari, Gunungkidul, on Tuesday (17/3).

Mukotip explained that Fendi’s family is in poor economic condition because his father has had a stroke. Meanwhile, Fendi’s mother is blind due to nerve illness.

“Perhaps the child’s sensitivity to his surroundings and his parents who can’t do anything led to him not going to school,” he said.

Therefore, Mukotip assured that Fendi would return to school. Moreover, Mukotip would waive all fees and charges during Fendi’s schooling.

“First, I asked Fendi to come back, and alhamdulillah, I ensured he would. Why? Because I believe, as we want our children to, I will educate him and free him from all charges, and I asked the madrasah principal to waive everything,” he said.

It is known that Fendi has been out of school for three years. He last attended school when he was in year 1 of primary school.

Fendi stopped going to school since his mother became paralysed and unable to care for herself. His father’s condition is not much different. Fendi eventually stopped school and cared for his mother.

“Because his mother is ill, Fendi stopped school. The cause of dropping out is the lack of support from parents, because both parents are ill. And everything depends on his mother,” said the head of RT 06 Jeruken, Wahono.

“So, because there is no response for education and school, the encouragement from parents decreased, making Fendi want to stay at home waiting for his ill mother,” Wahono continued.