Jakarta – The Integrated People’s School Program continues to be promoted as a concrete step by the government to reduce poverty through education. The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) believes this program has the potential to act as a social safety net, ensuring that children from low-income families continue to have access to education.
Atalia Praratya, a member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, expressed her appreciation for the People’s School initiative initiated by the Ministry of Social Affairs. She stated that the program represents a strategic government effort to open educational opportunities for poor and extremely poor families.
“People’s Schools are a highly strategic state initiative. However, the success of this program is largely determined by accurate targeting, quality of support, and integration with other social protection services,” said Atalia.
Meanwhile, the implementation of integrated public schools (SMP) has begun in the region. The Head of the Gorontalo Province Social and Civil Registration Office, Reflin Buata, personally inspected Integrated Public School 71 in Botumoito District, Boalemo Regency.
“People’s Schools are government-run flagship schools that not only provide access to formal education but also various skills training programs to help their graduates excel. This is different from conventional schools,” said Reflin.
The central government has also allocated more than Rp227 billion through the state budget for the school’s construction. “Hopefully, the construction of this 71-story Integrated People’s School will be a breakthrough in the education of children from poor and extremely poor families,” he said.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that development is not only oriented towards economic growth, but also the quality of life of the community through priority programs, including People’s Schools.
“Our criteria are progress and modernity, where all people experience a good quality of life. We don’t dream of living like other countries. We simply want all our people to live with a good quality of life,” he said.
He emphasized that boarding schools are intended for children from the most disadvantaged groups. “We send children from groups who can’t afford it the most in boarding schools. We give them the best education. We take all the children who can’t go to school. There should be no children on the streets who don’t go to school,” he stressed.**