RADAR BLITAR – The Blitar government has intensified efforts to reduce out-of-school children and upgrade school facilities during the first year of Regent Rijanto and Deputy Regent Beky Herdihansah. Education officials say the strategy centers on expanding community-based learning and improving infrastructure.

Agus Santosa, head of the Blitar Education Office, said the district launched “Sekolah Lapang” to help school dropouts and adults without diplomas. The program operates under existing community learning centers. It offers equivalency education at primary, junior, and senior high levels.

Blitar established 15 Sekolah Lapang units across 11 subdistricts in 2025. The local government allocated 900 million rupiah to support operations. Officials plan to expand coverage and enrollment in 2026.

The Education Office also plans cooperation with the Blitar correctional facility. About 130 inmates lack formal diplomas. The district will enroll them in equivalency education through Sekolah Lapang.

Agus stressed that diploma legality remains essential for jobs and further study. The district continues public outreach so residents use the program. Officials see it as key to reducing education gaps.

Alongside the out-of-school initiative, Blitar accelerated school facility upgrades. In 2025, the district built and rehabilitated 30 education units with a 5.67-billion-rupiah budget. Projects included classroom repairs, toilets, fences, and other support facilities in primary and junior high schools.

For 2026, the district set aside 2.4 billion rupiah to upgrade about 13-15 schools. Agus said many schools still need structural repairs to ensure safe and healthy learning spaces. The revitalization program will continue in the coming years.