Pekanbaru's Zero School Dropout Programme: Mayor Agung Vows No Child Left Behind

The Pekanbaru City Government has confirmed that its free education programme extends beyond state schools. Through the Zero School Dropout programme, the city will fully cover education costs for students attending a number of private junior high schools and Madrasah Tsanawiyah that have partnered with the local government. “So parents need not worry about school fees. If a child does not pass or is not accommodated in a state school, they can enrol in a private school that has partnered with the Pekanbaru City Government, and the costs will be fully borne by the government,” said Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. He stated that this programme represents the city government’s commitment to guaranteeing the right to education for all school-age children. “No child in Pekanbaru City should fail to continue their education simply because of cost constraints or because they were not accommodated in a state school,” he said. The government has integrated partner schools into the new student admissions system managed by the city government. Currently, 23 private schools have partnered with the Pekanbaru City Government. Additionally, the city government is collaborating with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to accommodate students wishing to continue their education at madrasahs. “We are also working with the Ministry of Religious Affairs. There are 15 MTs whose costs are covered by the Pekanbaru City Government. So essentially, no one should be out of school,” he said. According to Mayor Agung, this step is a tangible implementation of the Zero School Dropout programme, which is a priority for the local government in improving the quality of human resources. “The point is, no child in Pekanbaru should drop out of school. We have prepared the pathways, we have prepared the schools, and we cover the costs. That is the Zero School Dropout programme we are running.” Through this programme, he hopes all school-age children can continue their education without financial barriers. This measure also serves as a solution to overcome the annual quota limitations in state schools.