Producing Quality Human Resources, More Than 26 Percent of the Bandung City Budget for Education

Even this year, according to the Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana, from the IDR 7.2 trillion APBD, the Bandung City Government has budgeted IDR 1.9 trillion for education. As much as Rp. 90 billion of which is budgeted to help students at Prone to Continuing Education (RMP).

He hopes that with this policy there will be no more school-age children in the city of Bandung who are not in school.

"Of course we will help through the RMP budget. The school age index in the city of Bandung is 14.3 years. That's roughly up to the 3rd grade level of junior high school. So, we're trying so that at least the children can continue to go to school," Yana said after visiting Muhammadiyah Antapani Education Complex, Saturday 4 February 2023.

He said Muhammadiyah had become one of the Bandung City Government partners in producing the best human resources through education.

"So far the Bandung City Government has been greatly assisted by the presence and programs of Muhammadiyah and 'Aisyiyah. Because the city of Bandung does not have natural resources (SDA), so increasing human resources is the main thing," he admits.

In fact, in order to focus on optimizing education, the Bandung City Government is also participating in providing financial assistance to the West Java Provincial Government to finance high school and tertiary RMP students in the amount of IDR 29 billion.

In addition, he added, the welfare of teachers would continue to be improved through quality improvement scholarships and honoraria (HPM).

"We can continue to improve, including scholarships for teachers and honorariums for honorary teachers as well," he added.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership (PDM) for the City of Bandung, Hasan Arif explained, education has indeed become a part of Muhammadiyah's charitable efforts in contributing so that the City of Bandung can be more advanced.

In the city of Bandung, explained Hasan, there are 23 Aisyiyah Bustanul Alfa (ABA) kindergartens, 7 study groups (kober), 11 SD/MI, 11 MTS/SMP, and 9 SMK/MA.

"Apart from that, there are also 19 orphanages and several health facilities which are still in the process of being reorganized. As well as Lazis, tabligh services, and other social services," he explained.

In total, Muhammadiyah and 'Aisyiyah have 1,046 teachers and employees who play a role in developing the characteristics of human resources in schools and in other public facilities.

"Teachers apart from being sincere and patient, we as leaders must also be able to provide a balance to their lives. RMP and HPM are one of the motivations for quality teachers in Bandung," he said.

Muhammadiyah Bandung City has several excellent schools with a variety of unique programs. Among them
SD Muhammadiyah 7 which has a disaster response program.

Then, SMP Muhammadiyah Bojongloa is known as a school that cares about the environment. This school also implements Kang Pisman.

There is also Muhammadiyah 5 Middle School which is called a circular economics school because the costs are full of RMP. All students get scholarships funded by the Bandung City Government.

In addition, 189 teachers also received HPM assistance of IDR 500,000 per month. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Informatics Agency

Yayan A. Brilyana