"If we want to be a developed nation, it starts from the family," President Joko Widodo said.
Bantul, Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo has underlined the importance of family planning in ensuring that the country develops in a proper way.

"If we want to be a developed nation, it starts from the family," President Joko Widodo said when reviewing the Family Planning program in Piyungan District, Bantul here on Monday.

The president said the families played an important role in the development of any countrys workforce.

"The parents should be concerned with and should support education and health of their children," the president added.

The head of state pointed out that school fees increase every year, starting from elementary, junior high, high school and college.

"The children should complete their studies right till the university level," the president remarked.

In addition, the head of state urged the National Demography and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) Head, Surya Chandra Surapati, to oversee the family planning program.

During his visit, the president was accompanied by First Lady Iriana Widodo, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono and BKKBN Head Surya Chandra Surapati.

BKKBN Head Surya Chandra Surapati had earlier stated that the family planning program was expected to further improve the welfare of the community and help break the shackles of poverty.

"Family planning will also result in people paying more attention to aspects such as the ideal age for marriage, ideal distance between child births, the number of children, expenses required for education and health of the entire family," Surapati affirmed.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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