Jakarta — The government is intensifying collaborative efforts to expand the reach and improve the quality of services under the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) Program. This initiative is being advanced through cross-ministerial synergy aimed at ensuring equitable and high-quality education access for all Indonesian children.
The latest development comes from the cooperation between PT Pos Indonesia and the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the University of Logistics and International Business (ULBI) in Bandung, West Java. The collaboration includes the provision of facilities, infrastructure support, and scholarships for Sekolah Rakyat graduates seeking to pursue higher education at ULBI.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated that the partnership is a concrete step toward strengthening the foundation of inclusive and sustainable education.
“We have signed an MoU in which PT Pos will provide various forms of support for the Sekolah Rakyat Program, including scholarships for talented graduates who wish to study at the University of Logistics and International Business,” he said.
Acting President Director of PT Pos Indonesia, Haris, emphasized that the support is part of a joint commitment between Kemensos, PT Pos Indonesia, and stakeholders to improve community welfare through educational services. He noted that the cooperation is not merely ceremonial but encompasses a series of strategic programs.
“The collaboration with Kemensos covers various areas, including community capacity-building and social literacy, education and training, economic empowerment, provision of facilities and operational support, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs for Sekolah Rakyat,” Haris explained. He hopes that these efforts will strengthen modern, adaptive, and impactful social services.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works (PU) is accelerating the development of educational infrastructure through Phase II of the Sekolah Rakyat Program, which has now entered the construction stage in various regions. After completing the renovation of 165 pilot Sekolah Rakyat sites in Phase I, the government is now proceeding with Phase II across 104 locations throughout Indonesia.
Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, affirmed that the accelerated construction is part of the government’s broader effort to build a superior Indonesian workforce.
“The construction of Sekolah Rakyat is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to developing high-quality human resources. The Ministry of Public Works is committed to ensuring that these educational facilities are built swiftly and with high standards,” he said.
Several Phase II construction sites have commenced, including in Central Kalimantan—covering Gunung Mas Regency, Katingan Regency, East Kotawaringin Regency, and Palangka Raya City. In South Kalimantan, construction progress is also underway in Banjarbaru City, Barito Kuala Regency, and Tanah Bumbu Regency.
Phase II of the Sekolah Rakyat Program is designed to accommodate up to 112,320 students through 3,744 study groups (rombel), consisting of 1,872 elementary school groups, 936 junior high school groups, and 936 senior high school groups. All construction is permanent and built on government-provided land measuring 5–10 hectares. The facilities are targeted for completion and readiness for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Through sustained synergy, the government hopes that the Sekolah Rakyat Program will serve as a long-term solution for equitable education and improved human resource quality across the regions. This program reaffirms the government’s commitment to providing inclusive and fair educational services for all Indonesians. (*)