PIP is a program that includes providing cash assistance and improving access to education for low-income families or families at risk of poverty.
KSP's Deputy II, Abetnego Tarigan, as quoted in a KSP press statement received here on Saturday, said that school assistance was needed since problems were still being encountered in the implementation of the program.
While reviewing the implementation of PIP in North Tapanuli District and Toba District, North Sumatra Province, from August 30 to September 1, 2022, the KSP found that potential beneficiaries still faced difficulties in activating their PIP bank accounts coupled with the lack of understanding among school administrators regarding PIP and the lack of dissemination of information about the program.
Tarigan said that when the KSP reviewed the program's implementation in North Tapanuli District, it found that several PIP beneficiaries had not been able to activate their accounts.
In North Tapanuli, he noted that 13,160 elementary to high school students were listed as potential beneficiaries of PIP in the Nomination Decree (SK) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology that had not activated their PIP accounts due to the lack of understanding among school operators.
"In fact, if they (the accounts) are activated, they will potentially increase PIP recipients in North Tapanuli. If it is calculated, then the value will reach Rp6.7 billion," he pointed out.
According to Tarigan, the same case also occurred in Toba District, where 6,421 elementary to high school students were listed as potential beneficiaries in the decree but had not activated the accounts. Thus, a total aid of Rp3.2 billion has not been absorbed.
He expressed optimism that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology would discuss further the handling of problems in the implementation of PIP.
"The government's budget for the Smart Indonesia Program and Smart Indonesia Card for Higher Education has reached Rp19 trillion. Thus, they (the programs) must be monitored and need assistance," he remarked.
He assessed that the account activation process could be accelerated by cooperating with the banks that distribute the aid.
The Smart Indonesia Program provides a yearly aid of Rp450 thousand for elementary school students, Rp750 thousand for junior high school students, and Rp1 million for students of high schools or equivalent.
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Translator: Indra Arief, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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