PASURUAN (30 November 2024) - A total of 625 participants of the Independent Resilient Elderly School (Selantang) in Pasuruan City officially graduated at the Dharmoyudho Arts Building, Pasuruan City, on Saturday (30/11/2024). The graduation was attended by Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) Advisor of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Fatma Saifullah Yusuf, as the initiator of Selantang. This graduation is an important milestone in realizing Pasuruan as an elderly-friendly city.

In her speech, Fatma expressed her pride for the elderly who successfully completed this program. “I am very happy to be here and witness the success of 625 graduates consisting of 228 Standard 1 graduates, 291 Standard 2 graduates, and 106 Standard 3 graduates. Hopefully the knowledge gained can provide benefits and inspire other elderly people,” she said.

Fatma also provided motivation for the graduates to continue to be active and happy. According to her, the key to become resilient elderly is happiness by avoiding anxiety, doing creative activities, and by continuing to share knowledge with the neighbourhood. “I hope the graduates can become ‘lecturers’ in their respective neighbourhoods, spreading the spirit of learning and independence,” she said.

Fatma said the program is a form of professional collaboration. Selantang is managed like a school with a principal, homeroom teacher, administration books, and a structured curriculum. The learning process is managed for six months with full commitment from the teachers. “This proves that even the elderly can learn and develop if given the right facilities,” she said.

As a form of ongoing support, operational assistance from Ministry of Social Affairs has also been channeled to Selantang Mandiri. Fatma hopes that this assistance can further boost the enthusiasm of the participants and support creative programmes for the elderly in Pasuruan.

Meanwhile, Acting. Mayor of Pasuruan, Adi Wibowo, expressed his appreciation to Fatma Saifullah Yusuf for her presence.  “Thank you to Mrs Fatma for showing real commitment in supporting the strengthening of Selantang Mandiri in Pasuruan City. Her presence gives great encouragement to all of us,” he said.

In addition, the event was also attended by representatives of BKKBN East Java, Acting. Dp3akb Pasuruan City, Assistant 1 Pasuruan City, Head of Social Service, Inspectorate, Social Health Service, Head of Bappelitbangda, Director of IRL, Sub-District Heads in Pasuruan City, Acting. Head of TP PKK, and Deputy Head of TP PKK Pasuruan City.

A total of 625 resilient elderly graduated in this event, consisting of retirees and active cadres. They had participated in a training program aimed to improve the independence, skills, and health of the elderly.

According to Adi, the life expectancy of Pasuruan City is increasing. This is shown by the increasing number of elderly people in Pasuruan. “Our life expectancy is increasing to 72, meaning that the elderly in Pasuruan at the age of 72 are still healthy,” he said.

Adi also said that Pasuruan City would not be great without the support of extraordinary parents like today. “Congratulations to Selantang 1, 2, and 3 who will be graduated this morning. May it be a blessing for all of us. May you be happier” he said.

This graduation is an important momentum to encourage 22,000 elderly people in Pasuruan to be more independent, productive, and active in their lives. With this spirit, Pasuruan is increasingly optimistic to realize its vision as an elderly-friendly city in the future.