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On National Children’s Day, PNM targets digital divide through Ruang Pintar
Realizing the impact of the digital divide within education in Indonesia, PNM acted on its concern through the celebration of National Children’s Day 2023 in 100 Ruang Pintar. Around 1,110 children of PNM customers took part in competitions at Ruang Pintar with the theme Anak Terlindungi, Indonesia Maju (Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia).
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ealizing the impact of the digital divide within education in Indonesia, PNM acted on its concern through the celebration of National Children’s Day 2023 in 100 Ruang Pintar. Around 1,110 children of PNM customers took part in competitions at Ruang Pintar with the theme Anak Terlindungi, Indonesia Maju (Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia). The day included activities such as creating children's songs in groups and drawing posters. These were within the vision of Ruang Pintar as a space for learning while playing. While having fun, Ruang Pintar children, who are also children of PNM customers, are taught the value of creativity, teamwork and the meaning of protecting children.
With the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, PNM collaborated with several parties to erect 154 Ruang Pintar in the Magelang, Kediri, Cimahi, Jakarta, Blitar and Semarang areas until 2023. With online learning dissolved, a so-called digital divide has formed. Children's limited access to technology and the internet makes the imperfections of the learning process even more pronounced. Ruang Pintar provides classes for 25-35 children with computer and internet facilities for online learning. The majority of places are intended for the children of PNM customers, but several Ruang Pintar also accept unaffiliated local children.
"[It is a] fact that out of our 14.6 million customers, only 40 percent have smart phones. PNM’s process is also in digitizing MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises]. How about the online learning process for our customers’ children? That is our concern too," said Arief Mulyadi, main director of PNM.
To commit to the community development pillar in the company’s social and environmental responsibility (TJSL), Mira Damayanti, head of the JMT Division, stressed that the action must be more than responsibility, but the company's goodwill to PNM customers.
“The PNM community development program must be effective. Therefore, Ruang Pintar itself is here because of our long review in the field to meet customers who are mothers and hear their complaints during the pandemic," continued Arief.
Athifa, one of the contestants of the competition held by Ruang Pintar in the village of Blondo, Magelang, Central Java, showed the results of the poster she had colored. Her face was full of pride. The prizes, such as children's bicycles, precious metals and electric bicycles were attractive, but Athifa admitted that her participation in the competition was for fun, "because it's fun, right? We can play with friends, get together again," she explained.
In the future, PNM still has an agenda to develop 10 more Ruang Pintar in the hope of empowering the country’s children – so that PNM can continue to grow, care and inspire.
