TRENGGALEK – The regional parliament in Trenggalek has pledged to address long-standing education problems despite the district allocating more than 30 percent of its regional budget to the education sector.
Members of Commission IV at the Trenggalek Regional House of Representatives said they would continue monitoring education issues after holding a public hearing with student activists from the local branch of the Gerakan Mahasiswa Nasional Indonesia and several government agencies.
Commission IV chairman Sukarodin welcomed the criticism and demands raised during the hearing. He described the discussion as an important reflection of public concern over education conditions in the district.
“The demands from GMNI students are positive and constructive,” Sukarodin said after the meeting on Monday. “We must respond seriously because they represent public aspirations.”
During the hearing, participants highlighted several major issues in local schools. They pointed to unequal infrastructure, a shortage of teachers, and limited educational facilities in several areas across Trenggalek.
One case discussed during the meeting involved SDN 3 Pogalan. The elementary school reportedly struggles with poor facilities, damaged road access, and a declining number of students.
Sukarodin admitted that many schools in Trenggalek still lack adequate infrastructure. He said the district government continues to face financial limitations despite increasing support for education programs.
“We acknowledge that school infrastructure remains inadequate in some areas,” he said. “Budget capacity remains one of the main challenges.”
Even so, he argued that Trenggalek’s situation still compares reasonably with conditions in several other regions. He added that local authorities must continue working together to improve school facilities and education quality.
Education funding also became a key topic during the hearing. Sukarodin stated that the education sector already receives around 30 percent of the regional budget, exceeding Indonesia’s minimum requirement of 20 percent.
“Our education budget has surpassed the national minimum standard,” he said. “That shows our commitment to improving the sector.”
Lawmakers also addressed allegations involving misuse of funds from Indonesia’s Smart Program, widely known as PIP. Sukarodin explained that authorities now transfer the assistance directly into students’ bank accounts to reduce opportunities for misuse at the school level.
He stressed that schools cannot manipulate or cut the funds because students receive the assistance directly. However, the council encouraged public oversight if residents discover violations in the field.
Sukarodin said Commission IV would continue supervising education policies and local education problems in Trenggalek. He also promised stronger coordination with related agencies to improve education services across the district.