Makassar – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini cooperates with 19 state universities (PTN) in Indonesia to contribute to handling children’s problems, disabilities and poverty. “I was very happy when there was an invitation from the Chancellors’ Forum throughout Indonesia inviting them to work together in overcoming the problems of children, disabilities and poverty,” he said in Makassar, Tuesday. Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said that handling the problems of poverty, disability and children is difficult if handled alone. Therefore, when he received an invitation to cooperate in handling social problems, he welcomed it. “By dealing with poverty and social problems together, we are sure we can solve them,” he said.

The 19 tertiary institutions that are members of the State Education Higher Education Association (PPTKN) for handling disabilities and underprivileged children are: Makassar State University (UNM), Padang State University (UNP), Medan State University (UNIMED), State University Jakarta (UNJ), Indonesian University of Education (UPI), Semarang State University (UNNES). Furthermore, Yogyakarta State University (UNY), and Surabaya State University (UNESA), Ganesha University of Education (UNDIKSHA), Gorontalo State University (UNG), University of Malang (UM). Then Manado State University (UNIMA), Malikussaleh University (Lhokseumawe University, Mulawarman University (Unmul Samarinda), and Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM Banjarmasin). Also, Borneo Tarakan University (UBT), Haluoleo University (Kendari UHO), West Sulawesi University ( Unsulbar Majene), and Hassanudin University (Unhas).

The former Mayor of Surabaya explained that solving problems regarding children, poverty and disability has different handling. For example, for the current children’s problem regarding sexual violence in the school environment, he also hopes that children receive sex education from an early age. “I and other parents in Indonesia are afraid of the many predators that disturb children. I asked the teachers, especially PAUD and SD, to be given an understanding so that they all have morals when they grow up,” he explained.

In addition to sex education, Risma also invites education practitioners to teach children about disaster mitigation from an early age. “I also got it from the start because Indonesia is a ring of fire area. So it’s a megathrust area for disasters. We’ve been taught from childhood, children have been taught how they can mitigate if a disaster occurs. On the other hand, poverty too,” he said. Also present at the MoU, Plt. The Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Nizam, Director of Resources for Research and Technology Ministry of Education and Culture Dr. Sofwan Efendi, and Rectors of PPTKN throughout Indonesia.