Pramono reveals opportunity to expand free private schools, including madrasahs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has revealed the opportunity to add free private schools if the budget allows, in line with hopes for additional fiscal space from the Jakarta DPRD.

“Hopefully, in the future, if the fiscal space from the Jakarta DPRD can be increased, we will definitely add (free private schools),” Pramono said at the Jakarta DPRD Building on Thursday.

He also stated that the opportunity to add free private schools includes schools under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, namely madrasahs.

“Yes, it must be fair for everyone, including madrasahs,” Pramono said.

Previously, in the Jakarta DPRD Plenary Meeting on Thursday, Chairman of Commission E of the Jakarta DPRD, Muhammad Subki, proposed that private schools under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, namely madrasahs, be included in the free private school programme.

“I propose to the governor and his team that free schools be followed by free private madrasahs,” Subki said.

However, he said, the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of DKI Jakarta needs to pay attention to other private schools, especially those under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, namely Madrasahs, which until now have not been included in the free private school programme.

In fact, Subki continued, students in madrasahs are children of Jakarta, and their parents also pay taxes, just like other parents.

“It should be noted that in Jakarta there is also education under the coordination of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, namely madrasahs. They are Jakarta’s children, they pay taxes, so this discrimination should not be prolonged,” Subki revealed.