PANGKALPINANG -- PT Timah’s Pemali Boarding School Program is a concrete initiative aimed at improving the quality of human resources in mining communities.
Launched in the year 2000, the program—formerly known as the "Kelas Unggulan" or elite class—has produced 815 alumni to date. Many graduates of the Pemali Boarding School Program have gone on to make meaningful contributions to society.
Students who receive scholarships under the program attend formal education at SMAN 1 Pemali and are also provided with soft skills training, leadership development, and character building.
One such alumnus is Dianto, who hails from Dendang Village in East Belitung Regency. He was accepted into the Pemali Boarding School Program in 2017 through a school-based selection process. A graduate of the class of 2020, Dianto shared his experience of studying in the program.
He explained that he was raised by his grandmother and lacked the financial means to continue his education to high school. At the time, he had no idea what the "elite class" program was and initially struggled with the structured system.
“To be honest, it was quite overwhelming at first. Everything was scheduled—from study time to meal time at the dormitory. But after graduating, I started to realize the benefits. The discipline I learned while living in the dormitory really kicked in after I left school,” he said.
Dianto shared that the impact of the program has been especially noticeable now that he’s a university student.
“Now that I’m in college, I truly feel how valuable that experience was. The discipline they instilled in us has helped me manage my time so much better,” he added.
Currently, Dianto is pursuing a degree in Islamic Creed and Philosophy at Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University in Yogyakarta. Although he started college a bit later than most, his determination to earn a degree remains strong.
“I honestly feel lucky among all the dorm kids. During school, I often had the opportunity to participate in events outside the school—even out of town. The school and dorm really helped us develop our potential. Some even got to go abroad,” he said.
He also praised PT Timah for not only supporting students’ potential but also providing additional lessons such as English tutoring and writing workshops.
“The writing classes were incredibly useful, especially for those continuing on to university, where essay writing and academic papers are a big part of the workload. I’m really experiencing the benefits now,” he explained.
He hopes that the Pemali Boarding School Program will continue and that student admissions remain well-targeted.
“I hope PT Timah never stops giving back to the community, especially in the Bangka Belitung area. I wish the scholarship program continues and reaches those who truly need it,” he said.
As a message to future students of the program, he encouraged them to follow the guidance given by the school and dorm administrators and to maintain discipline.
“To the younger students who will join Pemali Boarding School, study seriously, explore and develop your potential, because what you experience during this scholarship program will be very useful—especially in terms of time management and discipline,” he concluded.
