On West Java's 81st anniversary, Commission V urges focus on out-of-school children

As West Java celebrates its 81st anniversary, officials are calling for a renewed focus on education, particularly on reducing the number of out-of-school children (ATS). The anniversary is seen as a critical juncture to evaluate current educational systems and implement improvements in areas such as student admissions and equitable access to learning.

Siti Muntamah, Deputy Chair of Commission V of the West Java Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), stressed the importance of meticulous planning, consistent policy implementation, and adherence to established development documents. She highlighted that educational success is not solely measured by the number of schools but by policies that broaden access, ensure fairness, improve governance, and provide every child with the opportunity for a decent education.

Commission V is actively pushing the provincial government to strengthen policies aimed at reducing the ATS rate. This includes expanding educational access through the construction of new school units, increasing class sizes, and engaging private schools. Muntamah noted that while policies are opening doors for children to attend school, significant challenges remain.

She emphasized that the issue of out-of-school children is multifaceted, influenced by family economic conditions, children's psychological states, school choices, and experiences during the admission process. Therefore, it is crucial to determine whether a child's absence from school is due to access limitations or other factors, including potential disappointment following new student admissions. Muntamah also underscored the vital role of private schools as part of a complementary educational ecosystem, urging the provincial government to foster collaboration and policy alignment to collectively address the problem of out-of-school children.