Network Governance And Educational Inclusion: Collaborative Action Programs For Out-Of-School Children In Makassar City, Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines network governance mechanisms in addressing out-of-school children through the collaborative action-based Pasti Beraksi program in Makassar City, Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research analyzes how multiple stakeholders collaborate to tackle educational exclusion through coordinated service delivery and resource sharing. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with key government officials, non-governmental organization representatives, and community leaders, supplemented by document analysis and field observations. The study applies Klijn and Koppenjan's network governance framework, examining four key indicators: actors and interdependencies, network management, institutional features, and interaction complexity. Findings reveal a sophisticated collaborative framework where diverse actors including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, and local volunteers successfully integrate their specialized resources while maintaining organizational autonomy. The Education Office functions as an effective lead facilitator, employing both formal coordination mechanisms and flexible informal communication channels that enable rapid response to emerging cases. The program demonstrates successful hybrid institutionalization combining legal regulatory frameworks with adaptive operational practices, supported by budget integration across multiple agencies and technology-enhanced data management systems. Complex interaction patterns create responsive feedback loops and enable effective complexity management through organized flexibility and adaptive role assignments. The network has achieved measurable success in reducing out-of-school children numbers through multi-level coordination extending from provincial agencies to neighborhood leaders. However, challenges remain in achieving complete frame alignment across all actors and ensuring long-term sustainability beyond individual leadership changes. The study contributes to network governance theory by demonstrating how collaborative approaches can effectively address complex social problems in decentralized governance systems, providing insights for scaling similar educational inclusion initiatives across developing countries.