“We do not consider administrative boundaries. If a child lives closer to a school in Kotim, we will offer them the opportunity to study here,” Kotim Education Office Head Muhammad Irfansyah stated in Sampit, the capital of East Kotawaringin District, Central Kalimantan, on Tuesday.
He explained that the Kotim Education Office has established cooperation with the Seruyan Education Office to address geographical, social, and economic challenges.
This policy is not solely about location but also reflects a concern for the future of children, especially those who move with their parents across district borders for work.
“We do not want administrative barriers to prevent children from accessing formal education,” he stated.
“Some children from Seruyan (another district in Central Kalimantan) followed their parents to Kotim for work and have yet to receive formal education. We cannot ignore this. Even if they are not Kotim residents, we will still facilitate their enrollment in school,” he stated.
The Kotim Education Office is also promoting cross-district collaboration to better manage the education of children in border areas in a more integrated manner. They emphasize that education is a fundamental right that should not be limited by administrative boundaries or residency status.
He also stressed the importance of education in a child's life, noting that education not only provides knowledge and skills but also shapes character, enhances potential, and prepares children for the future.
The office expressed hope that this inclusive policy can serve as a collaborative model between regions to help achieve equitable access to education in areas facing complex geographic and social challenges.
“We want all children to attend school. No child should miss out on learning because of distance or economic hardship. This is also part of our effort to reduce dropout rates,” Irfansyah stated.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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