ADEM program drives equal education access across Indonesia: Ministry

Government plans to purchase furniture to assist more Senior High Schools (SHSs) in transitioning from the double-track system to a single-track arrangement, according to Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu. The Ministry of Education, working together with the Ministry of Finance, will carry out a substantial furniture procurement project across selected SHSs nationwide.

Iddrisu explained that certain schools possess adequate classroom infrastructure and facilities to accommodate students under a single track system, yet are hindered by insufficient desks and other essential furniture. By addressing this furniture shortage, schools will be able to immediately increase their student capacity. He stated, "There are many schools that if we provided them with furniture, we can take them off double track and we will do that. We will undertake a major procurement of furniture to fix that."

During a surprise visit to various schools in the Western Region, including Tarkwa Senior High School, Iddrisu identified inadequate furniture as a factor preventing some schools from moving to a single-track system, despite having sufficient classroom space. The government has identified specific schools where furniture shortages have limited their ability to admit and accommodate students under a single-track system.

Consequently, the planned furniture procurement is expected to complement existing infrastructure and support the government's efforts to enhance access to quality secondary education while progressively reducing reliance on the double-track system.