Happy Human Rights Day!
According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 26 point 1 stated that “Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit”. This statement is clearly aligned with the content of The Convention of the Rights of the Child on article 28 which outlines that “Every child has the right to an education”.
Within Indonesia’s context, the national legal system has ensured under the Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System, that education is a fundamental right for every citizen and serves as the cornerstone for the nation’s development. The law mandates the provision of education that is equitable and inclusive, ensuring that all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender or geographic location, are able to access learning opportunities. Moreover, the Indonesian constitution under article 31 guarantees the rights to education, making it a state obligation to fund and prioritize basic education.
The government also implemented programs such as the “12-Year-Compulsory Education Program” and scholarships like Kartu Indonesia Pintar (Smart Indonesia Card) to reduce barriers to education and increase participation rates, particularly among marginalized communities. Despite all the effort that has been made, there are still some ongoing challenges to provide quality education for all, regardless of their location, whether in a big city or rural areas.
Following the data from the Ministry of Education in 2023, the total number of damaged classrooms in Indonesian public schools increased by 26%, totalling 250.000 units. Although the current Ministry of Education wants to renovate 22.000 schools across the nation, it still does not meet the quantity of damaged schools. Therefore, the role of civil society like Happy Hearts Indonesia is important to support the government initiatives. On this Human Rights Day, we have rebuilt over 366 schools (1000+ classrooms), building 29 libraries and impacting more than 99.000 students and 480.000 community members.
Happy Hearts Indonesia is committed to aid Indonesian children to have a better access education, particularly in underserved areas. Beyond that, we also provide them with adequate facilities to support day-to-day learning activities, starting from Water Access establishment, library building, until conducting School Empowerment Program for teachers to sharpen their skills. It’s all aimed to provide the children with a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment where they can thrive academically and socially.
Through these comprehensive efforts, Happy Hearts Indonesia aims to break down barriers to education, reduce inequalities, and nurture a generation of empowered, resilient, and well-rounded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the communities and the nation’s progress. Together, we strive to make quality education a reality for every child, leaving no one behind.
