BATAMCLICK.COM: A new chapter in equitable education is unfolding in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province (Kepri). Vice Governor Nyanyang Haris Pratamura announced that the local government has prepared land in five districts/cities for the development of People’s Boarding Schools.
“The five locations with ready land are Batam, Karimun, Tanjungpinang, Lingga, and Bintan. Everything is in progress now. Hopefully, we can start construction early next year,” said Nyanyang in Batam on Sunday (June 15, 2025).
These People’s Schools are designed as boarding schools specifically for students from underprivileged families, based on eligibility criteria using data from the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS).
“Each school’s capacity is flexible, ranging from 500 to 3,000 students, depending on interest and local needs. Not everyone prefers a boarding setup, so we will also observe public interest,” Nyanyang explained.
The initial phase of school construction will be supported by the central ministry, while the land is fully provided by the Kepri provincial government. Currently, the administration is waiting for central government approvals before physical development begins.
In addition to the People’s Schools, Kepri is also preparing to build three new senior high schools or vocational schools this year in Karimun, Natuna, and Batam, tailored to each region’s development needs.
“Whether it’s a high school or a vocational school depends on the local context. We aim to begin construction in October or November this year,” he added.
Meanwhile, the new student registration process (PPDB/SPMB) for Kepri’s public high schools and vocational schools is ongoing. Registration was open from June 11–14, followed by document verification and validation from June 16–25, announcement on June 28, and re-registration from June 30 to July 2.
“Those who register will be accommodated according to classroom capacity. Hopefully, everything runs smoothly and without issues,” Nyanyang concluded with optimism.(lilis)
