Bungo Regency, Jambi, August 7, 2026 - The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) views open dialogue with stakeholders as a vital tool in testing the accuracy of policies in the field. Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Fajar Riza Ul Haq, emphasized that direct input from the public helps the government evaluate and refine various strategic programs to ensure a more tangible impact for all students and educators.
Bungo Deputy Regent Tri Wahyu Hidayat warmly welcomed the commitment and expressed the local government's full support for the ministry's priority agenda. He noted that Bungo Regency has seen significant benefits through a massive infrastructure revitalization program, which has directly improved the quality of learning for students in the area.
"Honestly, Bungo has been greatly assisted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Last year, more than 100 schools received revitalization assistance. We hope that the central government's support and guidance will continue to flow so that the quality of education in Bungo Regency will continue to advance and be dignified, moving towards Golden Indonesia 2045," said Tri Wahyu during a working visit from the ministry at the Bungo Regent's official residence on Thursday (August 6).
In an effort to strengthen the foundation of teaching, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is paying special attention to the welfare of teachers in disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions through a targeted special allowance scheme. The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education emphasized the importance of teacher regeneration through the mandatory Teacher Professional Education (PPG) certificate for education graduates, with a focus on the 34,000 Pre-Service PPG quota this year. This transformation also includes the preparation of an English curriculum as a compulsory subject in elementary schools starting next year, with the government relaxing the face-to-face load to 18 hours to facilitate teacher certification requirements.
Regarding basic infrastructure challenges, the provision of sanitation facilities was a key focus of the discussion. Annalukita, Head of the Bungo Regency Education and Culture Office, stated that although verification has been carried out at several locations, the implementation of assistance is eagerly awaited to ensure student health during the teaching and learning process. "Of the 720 educational institutions, more than 80 percent of the clean water supply is still very inadequate. We have submitted this request, and it has been verified in approximately 50 schools. However, we are still awaiting clarity on its implementation," she said.
In response, Fajar Riza Ul Haq confirmed that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has provided additional assistance specifically for clean water, sanitation, and school fences. He explained that this allocation is supported by the President's Additional Budget (ABT) of Rp 40 trillion to expedite the resolution of severely damaged schools across Indonesia, with a target completion date of 2028.
The issue of inclusivity for Quran memorizers (hafiz) who do not have formal diplomas also became a serious concern in the dialogue. Hafiz often face obstacles in accessing higher education due to the lack of official graduation documents, while the formal school system, which requires daily face-to-face meetings, is considered burdensome for those who already have active roles in society. This condition is related to the challenge of fulfilling the 9-year compulsory education in Bungo Regency, where the average length of schooling has not yet reached the full target, still in the range of 8.3 to 8.6 years, which means that the average resident has only completed education to the level of 2nd grade of junior high school.
Deputy Minister Fajar responded that while specific religious guidance falls under the purview of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) provides a solution through the Prior Learning Recognition (RPL) system. Through this scheme, memorization competencies can be converted into study time, allowing them to pursue education through Distance Learning (PJJ) or Packages A, B, and C without having to repeat the lowest level.
The dialogue also raised issues beyond the direct authority of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, such as the misplacement of PPPK teachers and the shortage of supervisors, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (KemenPANRB). The former Head of the Jambi Provincial Education Office complained about the placement of junior high school teachers in elementary schools, which poses a risk to the effectiveness of didactic teaching. Fajar explained that the Ministry is currently advocating for a revision of the National Education System Law (Sisdiknas) so that the ministry can fully manage teacher management from upstream to downstream, eliminating these administrative discrepancies.
On the occasion, Deputy Minister Fajar urged all elements of society to proactively access information through official ministry channels to maintain public transparency. He emphasized that synergy between the central and regional governments is key to addressing educational challenges structurally, in line with President Prabowo's mandate to listen directly to the pulse of local communities.
The Bungo Regency Government is also committed to continuously aligning regional policies with the central agenda, ensuring that every educational investment in Bumi Langkah Serentak Limbai Seayun provides optimal results for future generations.*** (Author: Rany/Photographer: Ikram)
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