InfoSAWIT, SAMPIT — Amid vast palm oil estates in Central Kalimantan, modern school buildings now stand as symbols of long-term investment in human capital. Sekolah Bina Bangsa 02, operated by the Wilmar Group through the Bina Bangsa Foundation, serves children in and around plantation areas.

Coordinator Siti Wahyuni said education is a cornerstone of Wilmar’s sustainability commitment. “Every child deserves equal access to quality education,” she said.

Currently, the foundation manages 20 schools across Central Kalimantan, serving 6,004 students with support from 289 teachers. Education is provided free of charge, except for uniforms, and is open to surrounding communities.

The schools also emphasize extracurricular development, resulting in achievements at regional and national levels. Several have been designated as government-endorsed ‘driving schools’, reflecting their role in improving educational quality in rural plantation areas. (T2)