Improving the Human Development Index (HDI) of Sekadau District as the Focus of ITKK's Research

 

The atmosphere of the focused group discussion (FGD) was intense and lively, as participants worked together to uncover the root causes and solutions for improving the Human Development Index (HDI) in Sekadau District. The exchange of ideas and insights created a dynamic and engaging environment, with everyone contributing their perspectives in a collaborative effort to address the region's challenges.

BORNEOTRAVEL - Sekadau, November 13, 2024: The Keling Kumang Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Keling Kumang) held a discussion with several local government stakeholders from Sekadau District.

The meeting focused on the findings of a study on the Human Development Index (HDI - Indeks Pembangunan Manusia - IPM) of the region.

The event was attended by representatives from the Social Services Office, the Central Statistics Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik - BPS), the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapeda), and the Health Office. The aim was to explore the root causes of the low HDI in Sekadau District.

In his opening remarks, ITKK Rector Dr. Stefanus Masiun explained that this research is part of the university's commitment to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly in the areas of research and community service.

This study is also supported by a grant from the West Kalimantan Province, with the main focus on identifying the key issues that affect the HDI of Sekadau, which currently ranks second lowest in the province, after Kayong Utara.

Contributions of Higher Education 

“By having ITKK in Sekadau, we hope to make a real contribution to improving human resources (HR) quality. As mentioned by Mrs. Laila two years ago, ITKK, which is still in its early stages with students, will begin to have a positive impact after our first graduation in October 2025,” Dr. Masiun explained.

The meeting was attended by Ridi from the Social Services Office, Eli, Haris, and Iman from BPS, as well as representatives from Bapeda and the Health Office. Several invited parties, such as the Education Office and the Human Resources Development Agency (BPKSDM), were unable to attend due to other meetings.

The lead researcher in this project, Masri Sareb Putra, explained in his presentation that HDI encompasses various aspects such as education, health, and economic welfare, which collectively lead to social well-being.

According to Masri, improving the HDI in Sekadau requires a comprehensive approach to these indicators, including increasing equitable access to education and healthcare, as well as fostering a more inclusive economy.

Comparative HDI Analysis 

Masri also highlighted a comparison with Bojonegoro District in East Java, which has a better HDI due to its well-distributed infrastructure development. For example, the construction of accessible markets and educational facilities in every subdistrict has been key to improving the quality of life there.

One of the issues raised during the discussion was the high school dropout rate in Sekadau, especially at the elementary and junior high school levels. According to recent data, nearly 30% of school-age children in Sekadau do not continue their education. This is a major factor contributing to the low expected years of schooling, which in turn impacts the HDI.

In addition, Masri pointed out that limited market access also affects the purchasing power of the people in Sekadau.

 “Many oil palm farmers actually have significant economic potential, but they are hindered by a lack of access to markets. The local government needs to focus on opening new markets in subdistricts so that people can fully utilize their agricultural produce,” he said.

Another challenge faced by Sekadau is the low rate of health insurance ownership. 

According to BPS data, only about 28% of the population has BPJS PBI (Health Insurance Assistance Program), much lower than in other districts in West Kalimantan.

Economic Inequality 

Ridi from the Social Services Office also added that economic inequality in Sekadau must be addressed. “The economic gap is evident, where some people are wealthy with palm oil plantations, but many others live in poverty. This requires attention to community empowerment so that economic potential can be enjoyed more evenly,” he said.

Through a series of processes and interventions, the HDI of Sekadau is only 3.2 points away from reaching the “High” category.

As a follow-up step, the results of this study are expected to provide useful recommendations for the local government in formulating policies to improve Sekadau’s HDI.

Root Causes and Solutions 

The ITKK research team (Stefanus Masiun, Masri Sareb Putra, Adil Bertus, and Laurensius Tobing) plans to gather more data through questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGD), and field observations, with the goal of publishing the findings in December 2024.

Through this research, ITKK hopes to make a significant contribution to efforts to improve the HDI in Sekadau District and encourage more targeted policies for regional development.

The researchers not only identified the root causes and the interconnections between HDI components but also provided recommendations for improving Sekadau's HDI. 

Currently, Sekadau’s HDI ranks second-lowest among the districts/cities in West Kalimantan (in the “Medium” category with a score of 66.83).

With the proper processes and interventions, Sekadau is only 3.2 points away from entering the “High” category.

The researchers’ recommendations, presented in the research report, can serve as a reference and basis for decision-making in accelerating the improvement of Sekadau’s HDI.

-- Apai Deraman