By: Tiara Ayuningtyas*
The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that the Public School program is transparent, on-target, and thoroughly supervised to provide access to adequate education for underprivileged communities. This oversight is implemented from infrastructure development to the distribution of school supplies, ensuring that all stages are carried out according to regulations and free from irregularities. This commitment is evident in the direct involvement of several ministries in monitoring construction progress, conducting technical supervision, and investigating alleged procurement issues raised by the public.
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo personally inspected the construction of the Cilacap Public School in Majenang District. The inspection was conducted to ensure that construction progress is on schedule and that various technical issues in the field are promptly addressed. The government views the construction of the Public School as more than just a physical project, but rather as part of an effort to strengthen the quality of national human resources through inclusive education.
During his visit, Dody Hanggodo paid close attention to the drainage system in the project area. According to him, water flow management is crucial because the soil conditions at the construction site have a high level of water saturation, especially when rainfall intensity increases. He asked all parties involved to ensure optimal drainage systems to prevent delays in the construction process or compromise the quality of future buildings.
The swift action taken by the Ministry of Public Works demonstrates that the government is not only focused on achieving physical development targets but also ensuring project quality is maintained. The direct technical supervision carried out by ministry officials signals that the construction of the People’s Schools is being closely monitored to prevent construction errors and potential budget wastage.
Furthermore, government oversight of the People’s Schools program also targets the social and administrative aspects of beneficiaries. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, emphasized that the People’s Schools are specifically intended for families who are truly underprivileged, as determined by the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTSEN). The government wants to ensure that the program is targeted effectively and is not exploited by unauthorized parties.
Saifullah Yusuf emphasized that the student admission process is conducted through an outreach system, rather than open registration like in conventional schools. This mechanism allows the government to directly verify the eligibility of those eligible for the education program. With this system, the government hopes to eliminate the practice of bribery, extortion, or manipulation by certain individuals that could undermine the noble goals of the People’s School program.
Saifullah Yusuf’s statement also demonstrates the government’s commitment to building clean and accountable education governance. The government recognizes that social assistance and education programs are often vulnerable to infiltration by vested interests. Therefore, comprehensive oversight continues to be strengthened to ensure that the implementation of the People’s School truly benefits the poor and needy.
The seriousness of this oversight is also evident in the Ministry of Social Affairs’ actions to investigate and clarify allegations of price markups for the procurement of shoes and equipment for the People’s School. The government has chosen to act swiftly to investigate this issue to maintain public trust in the ongoing education program.
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono emphasized that the investigation into the alleged procurement issues is targeted for completion soon. He instructed the internal audit team to conduct a thorough investigation so that all facts can be revealed transparently. The results of the investigation will be submitted to law enforcement officials if any violations are found in the procurement process.
Agus Jabo Priyono’s actions demonstrate that the government is not turning a blind eye to criticism or allegations of irregularities arising from the public. Instead, the government has chosen to openly conduct audits as a commitment to clean governance. This stance is crucial because the success of social programs is crucially determined by the level of public trust in the government’s integrity in implementing them.
Over the past year, the government has demonstrated a number of significant achievements in various national development sectors. In addition to accelerating the development of educational infrastructure and social services, the government has also succeeded in strengthening public assistance programs, expanding access to healthcare, maintaining national economic stability amidst global pressures, and accelerating development.