Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – The Jakarta administration is expanding its free private school program this year by funding more than 100 schools across the capital, as the number of out-of-school children remains high.

The city has allocated Rp 253 billion (US$14.5 million) this year to support the operations of 103 private schools, comprising 17 special needs schools, two elementary schools, 41 junior high schools, 14 senior high schools and 29 vocational schools.

The program was first introduced in July last year with 40 participating schools, following a Constitutional Court ruling in May that ordered the government to provide free elementary education in both public and private schools to ensure equal access for all students.

The central government, however, has yet to comply with the ruling.

"I believe that Jakarta can become a role model for Indonesia's education system," Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said during the National Education Day ceremony at City Hall on Monday, stressing that education was the administration's top priority.

He further revealed that there was room to expand the number of participating private schools if the budget allowed.

According to the latest data from the Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry, the number of out-of-school children in Jakarta had reached 98,093 as of Saturday. The figure includes 47,567 children who have never attended school, 30,551 dropouts and 19,975 students who did not continue their education after graduating.

Justin Adrian Untayana, a member of the Jakarta City Council's Commission E overseeing education, said the free school program must be strictly monitored to ensure it reaches the intended beneficiaries and is not misused.

The commission has also proposed increasing the number of participating schools to around 200, considering that public schools currently accommodate only around 40 to 60 percent of Jakarta's education demand.

"We hope more children in Jakarta can benefit from this program, provided its implementation is properly supervised. Oversight must be strict to prevent budget irregularities, illegal fees and practices that could hinder access to education," he said, as quoted by Kompas.

To mark National Education Day, the city administration also facilitated the release of 2,026 diplomas that had been withheld by schools due to unpaid fees, aiming to ease administrative barriers for graduates so they can pursue further studies or enter the workforce. The program was backed by a budget of nearly Rp 4 billion.

"For many people, a diploma is not just a piece of paper. It is a key to work, to continue education, to support one's family and to face the future with dignity," Deputy Governor Rano Karno said on Monday.

In addition, the administration has sent 561 vocational school graduates to work abroad, including to Japan, Malaysia and Germany.

"This is the new face of vocational education in Jakarta. Vocational school graduates are not only ready to enter the workforce, but are also able to compete at the global level," Rano added, as quoted in an official statement.

Source: https://asianews.network/jakarta-expands-free-schooling-scheme-as-out-of-school-rate-remains-high