Local governments in Indonesia plan educational facility and funding improvements

The Surabaya City Government is preparing to expand the Regional Education Operational Assistance (BOPDA) program to cover 117 Islamic boarding schools (ponpes) across the city. The initiative aims to ensure educational equality for students in religious institutions and reduce the economic burden on underprivileged families. Laila Mufidah, Deputy Chair of the Surabaya City DPRD, expressed support for the plan but emphasized the need for a strong legal framework to prevent administrative errors and ensure synchronization with the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

In Bogor Regency, the local government is mapping schools to prioritize facility repairs and infrastructure revitalization. Regent Rudy Susmanto stated that due to the region's vast size and the high number of schools, interventions will focus on institutions with the most urgent needs. This effort follows a visit by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs and the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to several local schools.