Kemendikdasmen: PIP grants keep Dumai students optimistic about achieving their dreams

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has stated that the distribution of Smart Indonesia Programme (PIP) funds is helping students in Dumai City, Riau Province, remain optimistic about achieving their dreams for a bright future.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq said that, based on data from the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) for Dumai City, the average length of schooling (RLS) increased from 10.15 years in 2022 to 10.29 years in 2024 and 10.30 in 2025, thanks to the realisation of PIP funds.

“Up to May 2026, Kemendikdasmen has distributed PIP educational assistance to 7,579 students in Dumai City. With a total budget of more than Rp4.6 billion, the PIP distribution targeted 4,195 primary school students, 2,135 junior secondary school students, 584 senior secondary school students, and 665 vocational secondary school students,” said Deputy Minister Fajar in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Among the recipients, Jolin, a Year 9 student at SMP Maitreyawira in Dumai City, said the PIP funds she received were used entirely for school needs, thus helping to reduce her parents’ burden.

“At that time, I was called to the teachers’ room and given a letter to take to the bank. After that, I informed my parents and activated the account until the PIP assistance funds could be received,” said Jolin.

The impact of PIP was also felt by Aprillia Givanny, a student in the Accounting department at SMK Maitreyawira. For her, PIP was able to cover part of her educational needs and other supporting costs, such as transportation to school and stationery. April received PIP starting from a school-conducted assessment of her family’s economic situation during registration to enter SMK.

Echoing this sentiment, PIP also had an impact on and motivated Alan Seven Cordiassimus Dakhi to become a technology expert in the future. The SMK Maitreyawira student was born into a modest family, his father works as a labourer, while his mother is a housewife. For him, PIP not only provides financial support but also serves as motivation to study harder and achieve his goals.

“With this PIP, I am even more enthusiastic about studying and want to build a better future to help improve my family’s economic condition. After graduating from SMK, I want to study Informatics Engineering so I can become a Programme Developer,” said Alan.