By : Naomi Leah Christine )*
Public appreciation continues to flow strongly for the presence of the People’s School as an educational program that is considered the most inclusive and supports the most vulnerable groups in society.
Since its inauguration by President Prabowo Subianto in January 2026, the People’s School has immediately sparked new hope for children from poor and marginalized families who have been denied access to a decent education for years. The program is seen as a concrete manifestation of the state’s presence in ensuring that education truly reaches all levels without discrimination.
People’s Schools are not merely alternative educational institutions, but rather instruments of long-term social transformation. The government designed the program to reach children from underprivileged families in deciles one and two, including street children and other vulnerable groups who have been left behind by the formal education system.
This approach places socio-economic conditions as the basis for student admission, rather than past academic achievement, so that learning opportunities are widely open to those who need it most.
Appreciation came from various stakeholders, including the central government, regional governments, educators, and the wider community. President Prabowo publicly expressed his appreciation to the ministries and regional governments for the cross-sectoral collaboration that enabled the establishment and operation of the People’s Schools in many regions. This support emphasized that the program is not merely a sectoral project, but a national agenda requiring ongoing synergy.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf views the People’s School as born of the President’s deep concern for groups left behind by development. He believes the state not only provides access to education for underprivileged children but also provides accommodation, a quality learning environment, and empowerment programs for parents.
This integrated approach is designed to ensure that children’s education goes hand in hand with improving family capacity, so that the impact extends beyond the individual to improving the well-being of the household as a whole. He views the program as a unique poverty alleviation strategy and a long-term social policy legacy.
The People’s School’s excellence lies in its holistic concept, implemented 24/7. The school utilizes a boarding system from elementary school through high school.
The state covers all students’ living needs, from housing and clothing to three nutritious meals a day, and even healthcare. This approach ensures that children can learn without the burden of fundamental issues that often hinder the educational process, such as malnutrition or unfavorable environmental conditions.
Despite targeting the poor, the People’s Schools do not lower their quality standards. Instead, the government equips them with a modern, digital-based curriculum and adaptive talent development methods.
The use of a potential mapping approach, including the Talent DNA method, allows educators to recognize each student’s uniqueness and tailor learning to their individual abilities. This concept emphasizes that children from low-income families have equally great potential for development and competitiveness.
In terms of implementation, data from the Ministry of Social Affairs shows that by the end of 2025, 166 pilot People’s Schools had been operating in various regions, enrolling nearly 16,000 students. The program is supported by thousands of teachers and education staff.
Initial evaluations show significant positive impacts, particularly on students’ health and academic development. The boarding system, with its measurable nutritional needs, promotes improved physical fitness, concentration, and discipline.
The strongest appreciation came from the field. The principal of Kupang Junior High School 13, Felipina Agustina Kale, considered the presence of the People’s School a concrete manifestation of social justice.
According to him, the program demonstrates that the state is present fairly to all citizens, regardless of economic background. He observed marked changes in the students’ character through intensive coaching in the dormitory environment, from discipline and self-confidence to enthusiasm for learning.
He also expressed his gratitude to the President for his sensitivity to the needs of the poor, particularly in the East Nusa Tenggara region, which has long faced limited access to education.
The government’s commitment extends beyond the pioneering phase. The government has begun construction of the second phase of Public Schools in over one hundred new locations. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasized that this development represents a long-term investment for the nation. He ensured that the construction process is proceeding quickly and with high quality, as part of the country’s commitment to developing superior human resources from school age.
Given the public response and initial achievements, the People’s School is increasingly perceived as a truly inclusive program. The program not only opens doors to school but also re-opens a future for children who have been marginalized.
The appreciation that continues to flow from all elements of the public is clearly a very real sign that the Indonesian people have very high hopes for the realization of education that is much fairer, inclusive, and without any discrimination at all for all groups.
In this context, the People’s School stands as a symbol of the state’s commitment to the common people and a vital foundation for developing more equal and just human resources in Indonesia. (*)
)* The author is a contributor to the Inti Nesia Media Institute
