By: Ricky Rinaldi)
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education through President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to add 100 new Community Schools (Sekolah Rakyat). This strategic move is part of a broader effort to promote equitable education across Indonesia, particularly for children from underprivileged families. Amid complex geographical and social challenges, the presence of Community Schools offers new hope for fostering social justice in the education sector.
President Prabowo personally delivered the instruction to expand Community School locations during a state visit to Russia. The additional schools will bring the total number of operational Community Schools to 200, with the next wave of openings planned for August to September 2025. This decision underscores that education remains a top national development priority.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Robben Rico, stated at a national forum that Community Schools are a direct initiative of President Prabowo and are fully supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs and other government agencies. He explained that the program requires active support from regional governments, as its implementation depends heavily on synergy between central and local authorities.
Robben outlined that the program’s initial phase will utilize buildings belonging to vocational training centers (Balai Latihan Kerja, or BLK) managed by the Ministry of Manpower as well as provincial, district, and municipal governments. These buildings will be used under a one-year temporary loan scheme, during which they will be renovated to be fit for use. After this transitional period, teaching and learning activities will be moved to purpose-built permanent facilities.
The government has designated 100 pilot locations where teaching is set to begin in July 2025. For long-term development, 100 plots of land, each ranging from 6.3 to 10 hectares, have already been prepared. All facility construction will be fully financed by the State Budget (APBN). Robben emphasized that the school design follows an integrated model similar to the Taruna Nusantara High School, combining elementary, junior high, and senior high levels within a single educational complex.
To ensure coordinated management, the government has established a Community School Implementation Team composed of task forces from multiple ministries and local governments. This approach ensures that all technical, academic, and social aspects are handled by experts from relevant institutions.
Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), stated in Jakarta that the first phase of the program will be launched simultaneously on July 14, 2025. He announced that more than 9,700 beneficiary families have already been registered as initial participants. The government has also prepared for a second wave to expand the program’s reach to over 20,000 participants from low-income households.
Saifullah further explained that Community Schools are not solely focused on children’s education but also aim to empower their parents. The program includes skills training and economic empowerment for families. In addition, substandard housing owned by student families will be renovated as part of the government’s integrated intervention efforts.
The learning system in Community Schools is designed using a boarding school model. Students will not only follow the formal national curriculum but also receive character education, digital literacy, and practical skill training. The government is preparing a resilient and capable generation ready to meet Indonesia’s challenges in 2045, when the country aims to become a developed nation under the “Golden Indonesia” vision.
This comprehensive approach demonstrates that the government is not just constructing school buildings, but creating holistic educational environments. Children from impoverished communities will gain the opportunity to attend school, live in dormitories, learn character values, master technology and practical skills, while their families are empowered both socially and economically.
Local governments play a vital role in supporting the success of this program. As of the latest data, 357 provincial, district, and city-level governments have joined the initiative. The central government continues to encourage and assist regions still in the final stages of coordination to ensure nationwide participation in supporting the Community Schools.
The Community School program also serves as a solution to the inequality in educational access long experienced in various parts of Indonesia, especially in underdeveloped, remote, and outermost areas. By building nationally standardized schools in strategic and isolated locations, the government proves that educational justice is no longer just a slogan—but a reality being actively pursued.
Equally important is the speed and readiness with which the government is implementing this program. In a short time, locations have been identified, land has been secured, funding has been allocated through the state budget, and cross-agency coordination has been initiated. This demonstrates that bureaucracy is not an obstacle—but rather a driving force for development.
If all phases of this program are successfully implemented, the government will have clearly demonstrated its commitment to the people. Through genuine support for the underprivileged, it proves that investment in human capital is the primary path toward national advancement.
*) Strategic Issues Analyst