Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has reaffirmed the pivotal role of education in transforming destinies and elevating the community's quality of life. He delivered this message during an Iftar gathering with the Jakarta Education Agency (Disdik) in South Jakarta on Friday (2/27).

Pramono shared his personal odyssey of securing scholarships throughout his academic years. He emphasized that the discipline he practiced during his studies was the very foundation that shaped his current leadership.

"If a family seeks a breakthrough, the undisputed key is education. I say it again: education," he asserted.

Despite a reduction in Jakarta’s City Budget (APBD) due to cuts in the Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH), he asserted that the education sector must remain unscathed. He provided a firm guarantee that funding for essential student aid—including the KJP, KJMU, and the diploma redemption program—will not be slashed.

To navigate these fiscal challenges, he instructed his administration to pursue public facility projects through alternative, non-city budget (non-APBD) financing, emphasizing the need for transparency and public accountability.

Further, he unveiled a strategic plan to establish the "Jakarta LPDP," a localized scholarship endowment. For its inaugural phase, the Jakarta government aims to dispatch at least 100 scholarship recipients by next year.

He announced that the Jakarta government is broadening the reach of its superior student aid program (KJMU) to include doctoral (S3) candidates. This strategic expansion is designed to empower residents with higher academic credentials, ultimately paving the way for improved social mobility and better livelihoods.

During the event, Pramono expressed his deep appreciation for the tireless dedication of educators in upholding the quality of learning across the capital.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who have safeguarded and nurtured education in Jakarta. Alhamdulillah (thank God), our system is flourishing, and I hope we can continue to steward this progress together," he remarked.

Jakarta Disdik Head, Nahdiana reported that the gathering saw the attendance of 233 school principals representing various educational tiers, from early childhood (PAUD) and kindergartens to senior high schools.

She extended her appreciation to the Governor for his steadfast commitment to Jakarta’s educational initiatives, specifically for keeping the budgets for KJP, KJMU, and the diploma redemption program intact.

"Despite the fiscal constraints we are all too familiar with, he has chosen not to reduce the number of KJP Plus beneficiaries. We are serving 707,513 recipients with a substantial budget allocation by Rp 1.6 trillion per phase," she noted.

Jakarta’s landmark free education program is set for a significant boost, with the number of participating private schools jumping from 40 to 103 by July 2026. She emphasized that the Agency’s mission is to transform schools into a "second home"—a sanctuary that is both safe and welcoming for every child.

To enhance student well-being, the Agency is rolling out "healthy canteen" programs and pioneering Phone Free Zones to encourage face-to-face interaction.

"We are also providing students with creative outlets, much like the art spaces opened at Sarinah. By leveraging these urban spaces, we are nurturing a generation that will define Jakarta as a sophisticated and cultured Global City," Nahdiana stated.