Govt Seeks to Reduce Poverty Through Education, Social Aid Program

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan, March 26 (AntaranewsKalsel) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is seeking to reduce the poverty rate in the country now still above two digits through education and social aid programs.


"My target is this year the number must go down, no matter how many, below 10 million," he said here on Monday.

He made the statement after extending subsidy funds for Family Hope, Healthy Indonesia Card, Smart Indonesia Card and teachers` certification programs.

He said he would ask for an increase in the funds for the Family Hope program (PKH) to the House of Representatives and hope it would be approved as the program is very good for improving the quality of life of the people.

He said the subsidy for the poor family has been set at Rp1,890,000 a year and given in four installments.

"We think PKH is very good for the people as many families still need aid to fund education or meet nutrition needs for their children," he said.

Social Affairs Minister Idrus Marham said the number of poor people in the country was recorded at 26.5 million and has dropped by 1.2 million under the government of President Joko Widodo.

He said his office continued to reduce their number and hoped it could meet the target that has been set by the President.

"We will strive to achieve the target by improving the effectiveness of PKH so that more people would be alleviated," he said.

He said he would also build synergy with other ministries and institutions to speed up the process of overcoming poverty in the country.

"We build synergy with other ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture through PKH by extending seeds aid," he said.

President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Minister Idrus Marham, and Education Minister Muhajir Effendi, was here to hand over aid from the two ministries.
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(H-YH/S012)