Jakarta, July 18 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged continued support for graduates of schools under the tuition-free Sekolah Rakyat program, including assistance to pursue higher education and secure decent employment at home or abroad.

Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono conveyed the pledge during a dialogue with 262 Sekolah Rakyat students attending an orientation program in Semarang City, Central Java, on Friday (July 17).

"Mr. President wants you to build strong confidence; that's the first. Indonesian children should not lag behind peers from other countries. Secondly, you must grow into smart children," he remarked, as cited in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.

Priyono stressed that self-confi...