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

The Pekanbaru City Government (Pemko) has ensured that its free education programme is not limited solely to state schools. Through the ‘Zero School Dropout’ programme, the Pekanbaru City Government also fully covers the educational costs for students attending several private junior high schools (SMP) and Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs) that have partnered with the local government.

“Parents do not need to worry about their children’s school fees. If they do not pass the entrance exams or are not accommodated in state schools, they can enrol in private schools that have partnered with the Pekanbul City Government, with the costs fully covered by the government,” said the Mayor of Pekanbaru, Agung Nugroho, on Wednesday, 24 June 2026.

According to the Mayor, this programme is a form of the Pekanbaru City Government’s commitment to guaranteeing the right to education for all school-aged children. “There must be no child in Pekanbaru who fails to continue their education simply due to financial obstacles or lack of placement in state schools,” he stated.

The government has integrated these partner schools into the new student admission system managed by the city. Currently, 23 private junior high schools have entered into partnerships with the Pekanbaru City Government. Additionally, the local government has established a collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to accommodate students wishing to pursue education in Madrasahs.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Religious Affairs. There are 15 MTs whose costs are covered by the Pekanbaru City Government. Essentially, no one should be left without schooling,” he added.

Mayor Agung noted that 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 that no child in Pekanbaru should drop out of school. We are preparing the pathways, we are preparing the schools, and we are covering the costs. That is the ‘Zero School Dropout’ programme we are currently running.”

Through this programme, he hopes that all school-aged children can continue their education without financial hindrance. This measure also serves as a solution to address the limited quota in state schools each year.