By: Andika Utama
The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing educational equity across the country through various strategic innovations. One of the latest initiatives is the launch of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program. This initiative is designed to serve as a main pillar in bringing educational access closer to communities in remote, outermost, and underdeveloped regions, while also aiming to bridge the educational gap between major cities and rural or marginalized areas.
Sekolah Rakyat is expected to provide a concrete solution to various longstanding educational challenges, from limited facilities to the shortage of professional teachers in hard-to-reach areas.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology explained that Sekolah Rakyat adopts a community-based education model, built within local communities. While utilizing informal approaches, it still adheres to national curriculum standards.
Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Abdul Mu’ti, emphasized that the establishment of Sekolah Rakyat reflects the government’s tangible commitment to supporting communities that continue to face barriers in accessing proper education. According to him, this school is not merely a formal learning space but a social interaction hub where children from low-income families can acquire basic knowledge and life skills free of charge. The government will ensure the provision of necessary facilities and assistance for each Sekolah Rakyat unit to maintain optimal learning quality.
In its implementation, Sekolah Rakyat collaborates with various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, NGOs, as well as local customary and religious leaders. Community involvement is considered essential in fostering a sense of ownership over these schools. Each Sekolah Rakyat location will be tailored to meet the needs and characteristics of the local community.
The program also receives full support from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs. Coordinating Minister Pratikno stated that Sekolah Rakyat represents a long-term investment in developing Indonesia’s human resources. He noted that such education models are highly relevant in addressing the issue of educational equity, which has been difficult to resolve solely through formal, bureaucratic approaches. He regards the launch of Sekolah Rakyat as an innovative strategy capable of reaching the lowest social strata without having to wait for the complete development of conventional educational infrastructure.
In various regions, public enthusiasm for Sekolah Rakyat is high. In Southeast Maluku Regency, local indigenous communities have welcomed the program. Several community leaders have even participated directly as learning facilitators, delivering basic material using local languages to help children understand more easily.
Sekolah Rakyat could be the answer to the failure of conventional educational infrastructure approaches that have struggled to reach remote areas. It is crucial that the government not only launches the program but also ensures its sustainability and quality through adequate oversight and funding.
With the community-based approach of Sekolah Rakyat, people are expected to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for their children’s education. It is hoped that the government will not treat this program as a temporary project but integrate it into the national education policy for the long term.
The government has also indicated the potential for Sekolah Rakyat to be expanded into a national program in the future. Curriculum evaluation and development will be conducted periodically to keep the program relevant to evolving needs. Simple technologies are also being introduced, such as audio-visual devices, to support teaching and learning in areas without stable internet access. This indicates that, despite its community-based nature, Sekolah Rakyat is still being directed to prepare students for the modern world.
One of the main challenges in developing Sekolah Rakyat is the availability of competent teachers in remote areas. To address this, the government has engaged education volunteers and university students participating in community service programs to serve as educators. Additionally, basic training for local residents as education facilitators is being intensified. This aligns with the philosophy of Sekolah Rakyat as a community-based school where residents actively participate in running and developing their own schools.
In the global context, Indonesia’s initiative to launch Sekolah Rakyat aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and quality education for all. The Indonesian government is demonstrating that efforts to provide quality education do not always have to depend on expensive and centralized formal education models. Sekolah Rakyat stands as tangible proof that local approaches and community empowerment can be key to unlocking fair and equitable access to education.
Through this program, every Indonesian child—regardless of social or geographical background—is expected to have equal opportunities to learn and grow. Sekolah Rakyat is not merely a building or educational institution, but a symbol of the state’s presence in guaranteeing the basic right to education for all citizens. With shared commitment and cross-sector support, Sekolah Rakyat is believed to grow into a strong pillar in realizing the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, built upon human resources that are excellent, self-reliant, and globally competitive.
Andika Utama – Strategic Policy Issues Analyst
