Jakarta – The Badung Regency Government (Pemkab) is trying to continue the free education program in its area, from elementary school to middle school. Not half-heartedly, the local government’s determination to make fees free for high school level, which is actually the authority of the Bali Provincial Government (Pemprov), also wants to be implemented. “We will also make it free for Badung children entering high school even if it is within the province’s authority, specifically in Badung we will make it free,” Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa said in a written statement, Monday (1/12/2025). He conveyed this when he attended a ceremony at Pura Dalem Banjar Aseman Village, Abiansemal Village, Badung on Friday (28/11). Adi Arnawa emphasized that the plan for this program, which will start in 2026, aims to ease the burden on parents of students in Badung. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT This free school program will target students attending public high schools in the Badung area. This effort is a form of support for comprehensive access to education, considering that primary and junior high school fees in Badung used to be free. “Meanwhile, primary and junior high schools run first (free),” Adi Arnawa stressed. Previously, the Badung Regency government projected a budget to realize this program in 2026. The largest funding allocation has been prepared for high school and equivalent scholarships, consistent with the larger recipient quota. “In detail, scholarships for 7,000 high school/equivalent students received a budget allocation of IDR 36.4 billion,” explained Adi Arnawa. In addition to high school students, the Badung Regency government is also preparing scholarships for students who will study undergraduate (S1) in 2026. The scholarship quota for this university will be prioritized for children from farming circles. “In 2026, we will prioritize those who are really farmers’ children to go to undergraduate studies for free,” said Adi Arnawa. Overall, the budget that will be prepared for this educational scholarship program reaches almost IDR 50 billion. The government targets a quota of 450 people at university level and 7,000 people at high school/equivalent level. “Meanwhile, 450 university students received an award of IDR 13.5 billion,” explained Adi Arnawa. Not only the education sector, the Badung Regency government is also preparing aid and reward schemes for its citizens, especially the elderly and people with disabilities. This program is also planned to run from 2026. “The Badung Regency government has set up regulations for Badung ways for the elderly aged 75 and above who will be given a reward of IDR 5 million on their birthday. Including disabled, paralyzed and other residents, we will help with IDR 1 million per month, with the aim of facilitating their families,” he ordered. (acd/ega)