Fajarasia.co – Fajarasia.co – Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani handed over the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP) assistance to a number of students in Semarang, Central Java. On the same occasion, Puan also held a meeting with 112 principals of private schools throughout the city of Semarang, from kindergarten, elementary to junior high school.
The handover of PIP assistance to elementary to high school/vocational school students was held at SMP 2 Muhamadiyah Semarang, Sunday (18/9/2022). The principals who attended were representatives of poor private schools that received the BOS Additional Subsidy Program from the Semarang City APBD allocation.
Puan was present accompanied by the Mayor of Semarang, Hendrar Prihadi, who guided the event to provide PIP assistance as well as dialogue with event participants. He symbolically handed over PIP aid along with gifts to Anissa Fitriaka from Al-Islam Kindergarten, Amelia an elementary student, and Raditya Catur from SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Semarang.
“I remember when I was the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture dealing with the PIP issue, it was not easy at first, but I encouraged continuous improvement of the program so that it was neat, fair, and accepted by our children in need,” said Puan.
After becoming the Chair of the DPR, Puan emphasized that she would continue to give great attention to PIP. This is because one of the goals of Indonesian independence is to educate the nation’s life.
“I want our previous hard work to strengthen PIP to continue and run even better,” said the first woman who served as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives.
To the PIP recipient students, Puan reminded them to keep studying well. He ensured that the DPR will continue to work so that all children in Indonesia can get the right to education.
“Use this opportunity as well as possible, and later we will entrust Indonesia to your generation,” said Puan.
The grandson of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia, Bung Karno, also asked the mayor of Semaranf to continue the free private school program. Because, said Puan, this program helps private schools with few students.
“Sir, this must continue and continue to add free private schools. It is very important that all Indonesian children have the same opportunity to get an education,” he said.
“All Indonesian children should be able to go to school. No one should be out of school because of cost constraints. Whether it’s at the elementary, junior high, high school/vocational levels, all of our children should be able to go to school. The state is here,” added Puan.
Puan also reminded the school principals who were present not to make it difficult for underprivileged children to go to school with their various policies. If there are children who have difficulty, it must be found a solution.
“Don’t let students not attend because they don’t have uniforms,” said Puan.
Furthermore, Puan asked the Semarang City Government to continue to pay attention to school facilities and infrastructure. The public is also asked to report if they find obstacles so that representatives of the people and the government can work to meet the needs of school children.
“Don’t let free schools become available but their students cannot go to school because the supporting facilities are not adequate. I went around several times to the areas where there were free schools but the school buildings were constantly flooded,” he said.
“So the child couldn’t go to school, so I finally brought a stone truck to fill the school so it wouldn’t flood. I did that because yes, it’s a shame for the children if the school passes through a flooded area,” continued Puan.
Puan then invited a number of school principals to go up to the podium to convey their aspirations. The principal of SMP 2 Muhammadiyab Semarang, Masrokhatun, asked for help with computers and a computer lab because so far their students had to ride to another school during the national exam.
“We also have informatics subjects, but no computers. We really need a computer lab,” he said.
Puan also promised to give 10 computers for SMP 2 Muhammadiyah Semarang. Then the Principal of the PGRI Genuk Kindergarten, Zainab, complained about the floods that often entered her school.
“When it rains it always floods. Documents have to go up and down. We ask for the teacher’s room to be raised, the roof to be raised,” said Zainab, to which Puan answered that she would soon facilitate her hopes.
Meanwhile, the Principal of SD Muhammadiyah 6 Semarang named Suharno had different expectations. He prayed for Puan to become the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
“I see that Ms. Puan’s career continues to climb from being a minister to being the Chair of the DPR, my wish when Mbak Puan came to Semarang again her position was different then friendship to my elementary school. I pray that Ms. Puan is always healthy and coming to Semarang again has become RI-1,” said Suharso.
Puan also thanked Suharso for the prayers. He also gave his appreciation to the principals of private schools throughout the city of Semarang for their dedication.
“I thank you for your work and dedication so far in managing the education process for future generations. I will continue to fight for the aspirations of all of you, “explained Puan.
“Because these children are the future of Indonesia. Those who will develop Indonesia later, if we don’t equip them with their knowledge and abilities from the start, of course the stakes are the future of Indonesia,” he concluded.***
