Fully Funded Boarding School in Kediri Welcomes 100 Underprivileged Students
A total of 100 students from underprivileged families have been accepted as new pupils at SMA Dharma Wanita 1 Pare for the 2026/2027 academic year. They will receive boarding education through a full scholarship programme conducted in partnership with the Kediri Regency Government and the Putera Sampoerna Foundation.
The students were selected following the New Student Admission Selection (SPMB) process, which opened in February 2026. Public interest in the programme was evident, with the number of applicants reaching 299 students, representing a 15 per cent increase compared to the 261 applicants from the previous year.
This full-scholarship boarding school programme has been operational since 2023 and is designed for high-achieving students from low-income families to ensure access to quality education. The programme is expected to expand learning opportunities for children facing economic limitations.
The Regent of Kediri, Hanindhito Himawan, stated that the enthusiasm and determination of the prospective students were key aspects of the selection process. “One of the most important aspects observed was the spirit and sincerity of the participants to attend boarding school. It is hoped that they can achieve optimal results despite the limitations they face,” Hanindhito said in a press release on Wednesday (3/6/2026).
To ensure that educational assistance reaches the intended recipients, the selection process involved several stages, including administrative screening, home visits, and a bootcamp.
The Supervisor of the Dharma Wanita Education Foundation of Kediri Regency, Mokhamat Muhsin, expressed his appreciation for the participants’ perseverance throughout the selection process. “I am proud of you because you possess the spirit to attend school. My message is that once you are admitted, I want you to focus on your studies and the character development activities provided by the school,” said Muhsin.
The programme is expected to continue serving as a means to equalise educational access for high-achieving students from underprivileged backgrounds, while simultaneously supporting the improvement of human resource quality in Kediri Regency.