Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP) Pangandaran Builds School

Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP) Pangandaran is one of four SPP communities in West Java. Since its establishment in 2006, community awareness to organize has continued to grow, with mutual cooperation and a spirit of togetherness as the main pillars in their activities. However, one of the challenges that SPP Pangandaran members are worried about is access to education for their children. In some areas, such as OTL Harumandala, there are no adequate educational facilities. Many children are forced to drop out of school because the distance is too far or because of financial constraints.

With the support of Direct Funding from Nusantara Fund and self-help from union members, SPP Pangandaran took the initiative to build a school in OTL Harumandala. This decision was taken based on the results of a deliberation at the district level which determined the location as the most strategic. Now, children of farmers from five surrounding villages can receive free education at SMP Pasir Pilar. This school stands on 2 hectares of land donated by SPP members and is adjacent to SPP's pilot collective land. So, in addition to getting formal education in the classroom, students also practice practical agricultural techniques that are relevant to the needs of the community. Teachers also get the opportunity for additional income through the school's profit-sharing system.

The establishment of this school aims to reduce the dropout rate. The construction plan has actually been discussed since 2008, but it could only be realized in May 2024, coinciding with the New Student Admissions period. Currently, the school has been running for six months with 25 farmers' children as the first generation and six teachers, including the principal.

Previously, the community had established educational facilities for early childhood, such as PAUD, Kindergarten (TK), and madrasah, located around the local mosque. Now, the presence of SMP Pilar will strengthen the educational ecosystem in the area.

The construction of Pasir Pilar Agriculture Middle School is a source of pride for SPP Pangandaran because it is the first school established by the farmer union in Pangandaran Regency. Pasir Pilar Middle School is a symbol of prayer and efforts for a brighter future for farmers' children. The existence of this school is expected to not only answer the challenges of access to education for the children of SPP members, but also to produce superior successor cadres who are ready to build villages and farmer unions in the future.