Every year, the momentum of National Education Day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of equitable access to learning throughout the country.
This spirit is more than a mere ceremony; it is a call to action to ensure that no child in this nation must abandon their dreams due to economic constraints. We must understand why every child in Indonesia deserves an education, as it is through schooling that the cycle of poverty can be systematically and sustainably broken.
In anticipation of National Education Day, synergy between the government and the private sector in supporting school access is crucial to achieving the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision, a future characterized by a generation that is both intelligent and globally competitive.
From Charity to Sustainable Investment
While social concern often manifests in short-term aid, PT Paiton Energy and POMI have chosen a different path. Based on internal evaluations, one-off assistance, such as the distribution of basic food supplies, is deemed to have a short-lived impact.
As part of a philanthropic transformation, the companies launched the PT Paiton Energy and POMI Outstanding Youth Scholarship Program in August 2023.
This program provides a tangible answer to why every Indonesian child is entitled to an education: to provide them with a long-term investment opportunity capable of shifting mindsets and elevating a family’s socioeconomic status.
By shifting the focus from simple charity to educational support, the companies hope the benefits felt by recipients will grow and evolve over time.
Opening Doors of Hope for Underprivileged Families
High public enthusiasm is evident in the number of applicants, which reaches 100 individuals annually, competing for a limited quota.
Over the three years of the program’s operation, a total of 26 students from underprivileged families have been selected through a rigorous process involving village data verification and field surveys to ensure the aid is properly targeted.
A clear example of this impact is felt by Talita, a resident of Binor Village. For her, education is the key to the future, especially after the loss of her father led to financial hardship.
Talita’s experience reinforces why every child in Indonesia deserves an education, so they may hold greater hopes and dreams despite their limitations. A similar sentiment is shared by Fila Indayani, an Information Technology student at UNEJ, who feels fortunate to have the opportunity for a better future through an academic pathway.
Preparing a Workforce that is Career-Ready and Environmentally Conscious
PT Paiton Energy and POMI provide more than just financial aid; they also guide scholarship recipients toward fields of study relevant to modern industrial needs. Priority disciplines include:
- Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Chemical Engineering.
- Sustainability: Renewable Energy and Waste Management.
- Safety & Health: Public Health and Occupational Health & Safety (K3).
Although there is no mandatory service bond, the companies hope that graduates will eventually return to serve their respective villages.
This is the essence of why every child in Indonesia deserves an education: to create independent individuals who are ready to contribute to local development and the family economy.
Moving forward, this program will be enriched with professional ethics and culture training to ensure graduates are fully prepared for the professional world.
Toward Indonesia Emas 2045
Through this initiative, PT Paiton Energy and POMI contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of Quality Education and Poverty Eradication.
Recognizing why every child in Indonesia is entitled to an education serves as the primary foundation for the company in building superior human resources.
This program stands as proof that sustained commitment can ignite hope in surrounding villages, helping children who previously felt that higher education was beyond their reach.
In closing, this year’s National Education Day is expected to be a momentum for all levels of society to become more concerned with the equalization of human resource quality. We must continue to advocate for why every child in Indonesia deserves an education, ensuring that social justice in the field of education is truly experienced by all citizens without exception.
Through its scholarship program, PT Paiton Energy and POMI have taken a concrete step toward preparing a “Golden Generation” that is not only intellectually capable but also deeply empathetic toward their environment.
