East Kalimantan Revamps Gratispol Program to Boost Education Access

RRI.CO.ID, Samarinda - East Kalimantan Governor, Rudy Mas'ud, has officially committed to a series of structural improvements for the "Gratispol" Education Program. The program aims to streamline access for over 24,000 active student beneficiaries across East Kalimantan. 

As reported by Antara, this pledge of continuous governance reform comes as the provincial administration seeks to transition the flagship initiative. This move aims to evolve the program from its inaugural phase into a more robust pillar of regional development.

During a press briefing in Samarinda on Monday, February 9, 2026, the Governor sought to clarify the program's core philosophy amid its rapid expansion. 

“Allow me to reaffirm the definition and significance of the East Kalimantan Provincial Administration's Gratispol Education Program. This initiative is designed to alleviate the financial burden of education while simultaneously elevating the quality of our regional human resources,” remarked Rudy Mas'ud. 

He emphasized that the long-term goal remains the cultivation of a competitive workforce capable of realizing the "Golden Indonesia 2045" vision.

Reflecting on the program’s debut, the Governor noted that while internal audits show a successful rollout, the administration is not ignoring the growing pains associated with such a large-scale project. 

“Internal evaluations indicate that program implementation has proceeded quite well. Nevertheless, we do not deny that several misconceptions have surfaced on the ground, given its status as a debut program,” admitted Rudy. 

To address these gaps, the provincial government has invited public feedback to be processed by the People's Welfare Bureau for immediate system upgrades.

Strict eligibility criteria remain in place to ensure the program benefits the local population. The Governor reiterated that aid is reserved exclusively for native East Kalimantan residents or those who have been domiciled in the province for at least three consecutive years. 

Furthermore, the scholarship is strictly allocated for regular students from undergraduate to doctoral levels. This policy explicitly excludes those enrolled in extension or executive programs. The initiative also extends beyond the student body, placing a high priority on educators. 

“Beyond our focus on students, this program also gives high priority to teachers. This initiative is intended to allow them to upgrade their academic qualifications and, in turn, boost the quality of teaching across the region,” explained the Governor.

Addressing recent complaints regarding administrative delays, the Governor acknowledged technical bottlenecks caused by a surge in applicants. He revealed that the current support team consists of only 10 administrators, a number the government is looking to expand to improve response times for public inquiries. 

To maintain transparency, the administration is urging the public to follow @gratispol_pendidikan for technical updates. Meanwhile, those with unique circumstances, such as applicants over age 50 or those studying abroad, are encouraged to consult directly with the Bureau of People's Welfare.

Governor Rudy concluded by affirming his commitment to monitoring field dynamics closely. This effort ensures that administrative hurdles do not impede the progress of East Kalimantan’s most ambitious education subsidy to date. ***