Pekanbaru Guarantees Free School Uniforms for Underprivileged Children

Underprivileged children in the city of Pekanbaru no longer need to worry about the cost of school uniforms. This is because disadvantaged students will receive free school uniforms starting from the 2026 academic year.

Recipients of the assistance will not just receive a single set of uniforms, but five sets of uniforms along with other school supplies for the new academic year.

“Five sets of clothes, all five of which we will cover, along with the students’ school equipment,” said the Mayor of Pekanybaru, Agung Nugroho, on Wednesday (1/7).

He explained that the Pekanbaru City Government has already prepared the budget for these school uniforms, specifically to assist children from low-income backgrounds.

The distribution of free school uniforms will not be based solely on pre-existing databases. Instead, parents of prospective students can approach their respective schools directly.

“Fathers and mothers can come to the school to report. You can inform them that you belong to an underprivileged family,” he said.

He further explained that a team will be tasked with verifying the conditions of the prospective students in need. The team will not only inspect the condition of the students’ homes but also assess the employment status of their parents.

“For example, if the parents are unemployed, or if the husband or wife has passed away, or if they are divorced, or facing various hardships,” he added.

He emphasised that these free uniforms are intended for prospective students who are in dire need. The recipients will be those students who are unable to afford the cost of uniforms.

“The core point is that these citizens cannot afford to buy uniforms. This is our guarantee,” he concluded.