House of Representatives: Strengthening PKBM is strategic to address the issue of out-of-school children

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives Kurniasih Mufidayati considers strengthening Community Learning Activity Centres (PKBM) as a strategic step that can be taken to address the ongoing issue of children not attending school. “PKBM plays an important role as a flexible solution to reduce the number of out-of-school children because it can reach communities with various limitations that cannot be accommodated by the formal education system,” she said in Jakarta on Wednesday. She then reminded of the importance of strengthening PKBM quality through the integration of practical skills, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy so that graduates not only return to the education pathway but also have the provision for economic independence. That effort, she said, aligns with the human resource development vision in Astacita, which places inclusive education and equitable access as the main foundation in creating superior and globally competitive generations. Furthermore, she conveyed that strengthening PKBM based on distance learning is a relevant approach to ensure that children, such as those of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who are at high risk of dropping out due to parental mobility, continue to obtain sustainable education access connected to the national education system. In addition, Kurniasih also highlighted the importance of optimising the Secondary Education Affirmation Scholarship (ADEM) programme run by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as part of the strategy to accelerate the reduction of out-of-school child cases. According to Kurniasih, the ADEM programme, which has currently reached 4,616 recipients under the quick win scheme, needs to be expanded, especially for children of migrant workers.