By: Alfira Sari )*
Eighty-seven years after the Youth Pledge became a symbol of national unity, that spirit has been revived through concrete government action through the People’s School program. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to expanding access to education while instilling values of independence and nationalism among the younger generation.
Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, education is positioned as the main foundation in building superior human resources towards Golden Indonesia 2045, and the People’s School is one of the real manifestations of this grand vision.
The government views education not simply as a place for learning, but also as a means of social liberation that enables every Indonesian child to achieve a better future. Through a completely free boarding school system, Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) ensures that children from underprivileged families have equal opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to the nation.
The People’s School Program is a manifestation of the state’s presence in fighting for educational rights for all levels of society, regardless of economic background.
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priyono, stated that the People’s School is a concrete strategy for developing a superior generation ready to welcome the Golden Indonesia era. He explained that this school focuses not only on academics but also equips students with practical skills tailored to the region’s potential.
With this contextual approach, education becomes a means of empowerment and a path out of intergenerational poverty. According to him, every child in the People’s School is nurtured to grow into a resilient, creative, and highly competitive individual.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Robben Rico, revealed that the idea to establish the People’s School arose from concern over the high poverty rate and the large number of children dropping out of school. He explained that in several regions, such as East Java, hundreds of thousands of secondary school-aged children have dropped out of school due to economic constraints.
The People’s School Program is a real solution by providing free, boarding school education that is designed comprehensively, from an academic, skills, and character development perspective.
From a policy perspective, Agus Sudrajat, Deputy for Policy Quality Improvement at the State Administration Institute, emphasized that the implementation of the People’s Schools is continuously monitored to ensure it remains aligned with national development goals. He stated that the program’s philosophy emphasizes not only intellectual intelligence but also moral strengthening, independence, and national spirit.
The government wants to ensure that every graduate of the People’s School is able to become an individual who is ready to work, become an entrepreneur, continue their education, and participate in maintaining the integrity of the nation.
Agus also revealed that the People’s School will strengthen strategic cooperation with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), particularly in developing students’ mental and physical fitness. This cross-institutional collaboration is crucial for instilling discipline, a sense of responsibility, and a spirit of national defense. This will ensure that the resulting young generation is not only academically intelligent but also strong in character and possesses a deep sense of patriotism.
The People’s School curriculum is designed based on vocational training and local wisdom to ensure it’s relevant to regional needs. In coastal areas, students are trained in seafood processing; in rural areas, they are taught modern agriculture; and in urban areas, digital entrepreneurship is developed. This approach enables schools to serve as centers for community empowerment and drivers of the local economy.
This program also received strong support from various parties. Local governments, vertical institutions, and national companies such as Astra, Pertamina, Pupuk Pusri, and state-owned banks all participated through skills training, facility support, and access to capital. This collaboration demonstrates that human resource development is a shared responsibility, not solely the government’s.
To strengthen governance, the State Administration Institute is currently developing the People’s School Academy. This academy will provide training for school principals, educators, and strategic partners from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the business community, communities, and community leaders. Through this program, the government aims to ensure the sustainability and uniformity of education quality across the region.
Agus Sudrajat believes the successful implementation of People’s Schools in several regions, such as Palembang, which has become a leading model, demonstrates the program’s effectiveness in developing a young generation with strong character and high competitiveness. He believes that People’s Schools will be a crucial pillar in efforts to break the cycle of poverty and develop superior human resources toward a Golden Indonesia 2045.
The presence of the People’s School is a tangible manifestation of the spirit of the Youth Pledge today, a spirit that unites all children of the nation regardless of origin, social status, or economic status. It is here that the values of unity, independence, and mutual cooperation are re-instilled through education.
With cross-sector support and strong government commitment, the People’s School is proof that the ideals of the Youth Pledge to educate the nation continue to live and develop in real steps towards a sovereign, advanced, and just Indonesia.