To Address Out-of-School Children Issue, DKI Education Budget Needs Increase

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of Commission E of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Jhonny Simanjuntak, assessed that the amount of education budget in Jakarta needs to be increased to address the issue of out-of-school children (ATS). “In my view, the budget for free schooling in DKI is still very small and cannot resolve the problem of school dropouts,” said Jhonny when confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday. For that reason, he emphasised that the budget held by DKI Jakarta needs to be increased and prioritised for education. Furthermore, Jhonny also stated that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) needs to increase the number of free schools. Thus, it is hoped that the issue of out-of-school children in the capital can be handled. He views the issue related to out-of-school children as not only concerning economic conditions but also socio-cultural aspects. According to Jhonny, many parents still do not consider education important, so it needs to be a concern for the DKI Jakarta Education Office. “Truly, the Provincial Government must be proactive in reaching out to the community. The DKI Jakarta Education Office (Disdik) must also conduct socialisation to parents that education is important,” said Jhonny. Previously, the Chair of the Early Childhood Education and Equity Working Team of the DKI Jakarta Education Quality Assurance Centre (BPMP), Heni Mulyani, mentioned that the number of out-of-school children (ATS) in North Jakarta, based on data from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), reaches more than 22,000 children. “Jakarta is seriously starting to allocate a budget for free private schools,” said DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung. The programme aligns with DKI Jakarta Governor’s Decree Number 312 of 2025, which states that 103 private schools are included in the programme. Pramono detailed that 40 continuing recipient private schools will receive funding for 12 months, from January to December 2026. Meanwhile, 63 new recipient private schools will receive funding for six months, from July to December 2026. The free private school programme covers levels from primary school (SD), junior secondary (SMP), senior secondary (SMA/SMK), to special needs schools (SLB), spread across Jakarta’s five administrative cities. The DKI Provincial Government also ensures that various other education assistance programmes continue, such as the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP), Jakarta Outstanding Student Card (KJMU), and the diploma waiver programme.