By Ahmad Katamso )*
The government continues to show a serious commitment to accelerating equalization of education in Indonesia. One of the most innovative breakthroughs is the initiation of the People’s School program, which is designed as a concrete solution to expand access to education, especially for children from underprivileged families. This extraordinary initiative is not just a discourse, but has entered the real implementation stage, with plans to establish 53 People’s Schools in the near future as an initial step towards the ambitious target of building 200 similar schools in the 2025/2026 academic year.
This major step has received full support from various stakeholders. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, said that People’s Schools will implement a flexible and inclusive education system. In its design, students do not have to start their education according to the conventional academic calendar. The multi-entry and multi-exit system allows students to enter at any time and graduate based on individual learning achievements. This is an extraordinary solution that addresses the challenges of limited access and time that have so far hampered education for children from underprivileged families.
Furthermore, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, emphasized that he would be directly involved in the preparation of the curriculum and recruitment of quality teachers for the People’s School. This adaptive and flexible curriculum will open up space for every child to develop according to their respective potential. This approach is very relevant to the challenges of education in areas facing geographical, social, and economic constraints, because it allows students to learn according to their conditions and abilities, without the pressure of a conventional system.
The government also demonstrated its readiness through fast work across ministries. The Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, coordinated the acceleration of the provision of facilities and infrastructure for the People’s School. In the coordination meeting he led, Prasetyo Hadi emphasized that all of the 53 initial locations for the People’s School utilize existing state assets, including those belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs and local governments. This step is very efficient because it accelerates the process of establishing schools without having to wait for new construction from scratch.
This policy reflects the principle of efficiency and optimization of state resources. Utilizing existing assets is a smart strategy to reduce costs while accelerating school operations. Prasetyo Hadi ensured that even though they use old buildings, schools will still be renovated to meet the standards of comfort and safety for students. This proves that the government prioritizes the quality and comfort of Indonesian children without compromise.
In addition to the initial 53 locations, the government is also targeting the construction of an additional 147 People’s Schools in priority areas. Thus, by 2025, there will be 200 People’s Schools that are actively operating. The determination of the location is based on data on the distribution of poverty pockets and population density. This proves that the People’s School program is designed based on data, so that it is right on target and becomes a strategic instrument to break the chain of poverty sustainably.
Support from the local government also further strengthens the success of this program. The Head of the Bantul Regency Youth and Sports Education Office, Nugroho Eko Setyanto, stated that his party is ready to fully support the establishment of People’s Schools in his area. Although there is already an affirmative path in public schools, People’s Schools present a more appropriate approach, reaching children from families who have not been optimally accommodated by the formal education system.
Currently, the Bantul Regency Government is still in the process of finding land to be proposed as a location for People’s Schools. This step shows real collaboration between the center and the regions in accelerating the development of inclusive education. The active involvement of local governments in providing land and supporting school operations is a strong indicator of the program’s future success.
The People’s School Program is not just an ordinary educational infrastructure project. It is a manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation and social justice, answering the urgent needs of Indonesian children who have been left behind due to economic and geographical barriers. With a flexible, inclusive, and adaptive approach to local needs, the People’s School is a gateway for the younger generation to a brighter and more prosperous future.
This program is real evidence that the state is fully present in guaranteeing the right to education for every citizen, as mandated by the constitution. The People’s School is able to become a contextual alternative education model, in accordance with the diversity of social and cultural conditions in Indonesia. With the right curriculum, competent teachers, and adequate facilities, this program will expand access and improve qualityas national human resources evenly.
To ensure the sustainability of this program, the government is also preparing a sustainable education financing scheme for students of the People’s School, including operational assistance and incentives for teachers. This shows that the government is not only focused on the physical establishment of schools, but also ensures that the learning process in them takes place with high quality. This support is expected to be able to create a strong and competitive education ecosystem, while strengthening the role of the People’s School as a driving force for social transformation in underdeveloped areas.
The government’s visionary and bold steps to build this People’s School deserve appreciation and full support from all elements of society. Education figures, academics, civil society organizations, and the media must participate in overseeing and strengthening the implementation of this extraordinary policy. The People’s School is a real symbol of the presence of the state and a new hope for Indonesian education that is more evenly distributed and socially just.
)* The author is an Educator