Public Schools Strengthened, Support for Inclusive Education for Students Continues to Improve

Surabaya – East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa’s concern for Elementary School (SR) students continues to be demonstrated through various social activities in several regions. As of the latest implementation, nine Elementary Schools have participated, from Bangkalan, Kediri, Lamongan, Pamekasan, Mojokerto, Banyuwangi, Tuban, Jombang, and Gresik, and this number is certain to continue to grow.

At every opportunity, Khofifah emphasized her commitment to providing inclusive education while strengthening the character of the younger generation through the People’s School program. She believed that the government’s presence must be felt directly by students to further motivate them to pursue their education.

“We want the SR children to feel the attention and support so that they are more enthusiastic about learning and remain optimistic in achieving their dreams,” said Khofifah.

The presence of the Elementary School students in these various activities was not only as participants, but also contributed to the lively atmosphere through the performance of the Hadrah team. Furthermore, the students received donations in the form of prayer equipment and school bags as a tangible form of support for the continuation of their education.

The warm interaction between the governor and the students also strengthened the sense of togetherness. On several occasions, Khofifah also took the time to interact directly with the students, creating a memorable experience, especially for those from humble backgrounds.

Raffa Inayah, a student at SRT 51 Bangkalan, expressed her emotion at meeting the Governor of East Java in person. “I’m so happy and proud to meet the Governor, especially since I received a hug. This is my first time meeting the Governor,” she said.

Raffa also revealed that the People’s School had brought significant changes to his life. He felt he had learned many lessons, not only academically but also in character development.

“I’m very proud to attend SR. We’re taught so much here, not just academics, but also how to behave, be disciplined, and have dreams. The teachers are also very caring, so we feel cared for and have a new family,” she said.

He added that the opportunity to attend the People’s School was a turning point that opened up new hopes for his future.

The People’s School Program is increasingly being recognized as an educational platform that not only provides knowledge but also shapes character and fosters optimism for a brighter future for the younger generation. The East Java Provincial Government is committed to expanding the program’s reach so that more children can benefit from its benefits.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) General TNI (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago directly reviewed the implementation of the 31 Pekanbaru, Riau, Senior High School (SRMA) program as part of the government’s efforts to ensure that education programs for underprivileged communities are running on target.

In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs stated that the government is actively monitoring the implementation of People’s Schools in various regions to assess progress and ensure that the program provides real benefits to the community.

“Because I’m also in other areas, we visit public schools like this to find out if there are any problems, whether they’re not on target, and whether the targets have been achieved according to the government’s wishes,” he said to teachers and students on Thursday (March 5, 2026).

He commended the development of SRMA 31 Pekanbaru, which he considered to have shown significant progress in the relatively short time since its establishment, approximately seven months ago. He attributed this achievement to collaborative efforts by various parties, including the school, local government, and relevant agencies.

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“In just seven months, we’ve seen very encouraging progress. This is certainly not the work of one person alone, but the collaborative efforts of various supporting elements,” said Coordinating Minister Djamari.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs emphasized that the People’s School is part of the government’s commitment to expanding access to education for those unable to continue their education through regular education. The program is expected to improve community welfare by enhancing the quality of human resources.

He also encouraged students to take full advantage of this learning opportunity. “Study hard. You are the hope of this nation for the future. Your future is in your own hands,” he said.

During this visit, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs also provided specific guidance to the teachers, who are the spearhead of educational success at the People’s Schools. He emphasized the crucial role of teachers in the future of the Indonesian nation. Therefore, he urged the teachers to educate their students wholeheartedly and to not hesitate to guide and correct their behavior and mentality if they encounter any errors. This is part of the educational responsibility to shape a generation with strong mentality and noble morals for the benefit of the students’ future.

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Meanwhile, the Head of SRMA 31 Pekanbaru, Tengku Muhammad Hanafi Mustafa, said that the school currently has 47 students who come from underprivileged families and are studying in a boarding school system.

“The children study with teachers until the afternoon, followed by guidance in the dormitory by their foster parents. Thank God, over the past seven months, we’ve seen positive progress, both academically and in extracurricular activities,” he said.

One of the 10th grade students, Indah Lestari, admitted that the existence of the People’s School was very helpful because all educational needs were facilitated by the school.

“This school is very helpful for people who face difficult lives. They provide all the necessary facilities, including shoes, clothes, and even laptops,” he said.

Raihan Syahputra expressed similar sentiments, stating that the People’s School program opens up opportunities for students from underprivileged families to receive a better education.

“This program helps underprivileged people get an education. I want to study more seriously and achieve something to make my parents proud,” he said.

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The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs’ working visit also served as a momentum to evaluate the implementation of the People’s School program while ensuring that the government’s efforts to expand access to education for the community continue to run well.

Also present during this visit were the Secretary of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Lieutenant General Mochammad Hasan, Deputy for Domestic Political Coordination, Major General (Ret.) Heri Wiranto, Deputy for National Defense and National Unity Coordination, Major General Purwito Hadi Wardhono, Acting Deputy for Security and Public Order Coordination, Inspector General Desman Tarigan, Deputy for Communication and Information Coordination, Air Marshal Eko Dono Indarto, Expert Staff for Inter-Institutional Relations and Digital Transformation, Inspector General Tonny Hermawan, and Special Staff of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs.