JAKARTA. The implementation of Smart Indonesia Program or Program Indonesia Pintar (PIP) is still problematic. Based on the evaluation of the Ministry of Education and Culture or MEC (Kemdikbud), until 31 August 2016 Basic Education Data or Dapodik just recorded only 40% of Indonesia Smart Card or Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) recipient's data. 

According to Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, the implementation of Smart Indonesia is stunted due to unclear recipients' data.  According to Muhadjir, the distributor that channels the Smart Card to the recipients has not yet been able to provide valid data to MEC about the number of distributed cards.

Muhadjir mentioned that according to report from the distributor, 96% of the Smart Cards have been distributed. However, the distributor did not specifically mention the number of cards that have reached the students, as well as number of cards that just have been accepted by village administrations and recipients' parents.

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As an information, based on 2016 State Budget (APBN 2016), government targets to channel the Smart Cards to 19.54 students throughout Indonesia.

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Because of the lack of credible data on the distribution of Smart Cards, Director General of Elementary and Secondary Education Hamid Muhammad has issued Circular No 19/2016 on the Acceleration of Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) and  Indonesia Smart Program (PIP) Recipient in the school year of 2016-2017. 

The  circular , which was signed on 1 September 2016, extends the registration and data collection of Smart Card to Basic Education Data or Dapodik from 31 August 2016 to 30 September 2016. Through the circular, MEC requests heads of education offices at regional/municipal and provincial levels throughout Indonesia to accelerate the distribution of Smart Cards to eligible students at their respective regions.

MEC also urges heads of education offices throughout Indonesia to encourage schools in their regions to identify and register the Smart Card recipient's students to Basic Education Data application.

The circular also mentions that registration process of Smart Card recipients to Basic Education Data can be conducted until the end of December 2016. However, in order to disburse 2016 Smart Indonesia funds, the Smart Card registration has to be completed no later than 30 September 2016. MEC also asks the heads of education offices to facilitate schools and channeling banks to help eligible students to receive the education aid funds immediately. (Translator: Muhammad Farid)