Ministry of Transmigration Strengthens Indonesia-Qatar Synergy for Integrated Education Infrastructure Development in Rempang
The government, through the Ministry of Transmigration, is expediting the development of complete and integrated educational facilities in the Batam, Rempang, Galang Transmigration Area (Barelang). Currently, the construction of a Primary School (SD) is underway, while Junior High School (SMP) and Senior High School (SMA) are planned to be built through collaboration between the central government, local government, and support from international partners.
“The primary school is also under construction. Insha’Allah, it should be completed soon. The junior high school was approved by BP Batam yesterday and will be built with assistance from the Qatari government,” said Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara during a working visit to the Barelang Transmigration Area, where he directly reviewed the construction progress and distributed aid to the community on Friday, 20 March 2026. “So there will also be Islamic education. For the senior high school, in addition to support from the provincial government, BP Batam, the Batam City Government, and Qatar will also contribute.”
Minister Iftitah explained that higher education development is also a priority, with plans to introduce Diploma (D4) and Bachelor’s (S1) programmes through partnerships with various leading universities in Indonesia. This scheme aims to provide direct access to higher education in the transmigration area.
“The collaborating universities include IPB, ITB, UI, UGM, Unpad, Undip, Unair, and Brawijaya. So, parents do not need to send their children to Java for education because the lecturers will come here,” he stated.
Furthermore, Minister Iftitah emphasised that educational development is key to improving the quality of human resources in the transmigration area. With good education, the younger generation is expected not only to become workers but also to become business actors and drivers of the local economy. “If the education is good, they won’t just become employees. They can reach higher levels, such as managers or even business owners,” he added.
Residents of Barelang have enthusiastically welcomed the educational facility development plans as a step to improve the quality of the younger generation. They also committed to maintaining cleanliness and environmental comfort as an initial asset to make Barelang an organised and sustainable tourism village. The government is encouraging synergy with various parties, including the private sector and international partners, to accelerate overall area development.
Through this working visit, the Ministry of Transmigration reaffirmed its commitment to making transmigration areas centres of new growth that not only provide housing and jobs but also quality and sustainable educational access.