By : Naufal Putra Bratajaya )*
The Indonesian public has expressed high appreciation for the presence of the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) as a national breakthrough in providing truly inclusive education. The program is considered capable of addressing the classic problem of access to education for children from poor families and vulnerable groups who have been marginalized by economic and social limitations. The presence of the People’s School not only opens up learning spaces but also re-establishes future opportunities for children previously cut off from the formal education system.
This widespread appreciation arose because the People’s Schools were designed beyond free education. The government introduced a boarding school concept that ensured all students’ basic needs were met 24/7.
The state covers the needs of nutritious food, clothing, healthcare, and even learning materials. This comprehensive approach eliminates education from being a burden for underprivileged families and creates a safe and appropriate learning environment for children.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf assessed that the People’s Schools have brought about real change in a relatively short time. Through six months of intensive support, the ministry has recorded significant improvements in students’ health.
Children gain weight and height, improve their fitness levels, and reduce anemia rates. These physical changes are even evident in school uniforms, which no longer fit within the first few months.
Saifullah Yusuf explained that improved health has a direct impact on the quality of learning. Students are more focused in class, less prone to drowsiness, and demonstrate greater discipline and independence.
A safe and caring environment helps shape students’ mental and behavioral development in a more positive direction. Ongoing mentoring has encouraged some students to achieve success, despite previously facing fundamental limitations.
Changes are also evident in basic academic skills. The Ministry of Social Affairs has found that many elementary school students who previously struggled with reading and writing have begun to show significant progress.
Saifullah Yusuf emphasized that when children receive a sense of security and adequate attention, their potential naturally develops. Humane education has been proven to boost students’ self-confidence and motivation to learn.
The story of Muhammad Nazril Kurniawan exemplifies the program’s impact. The student at Elementary School 13, Bekasi City, had difficulty reading even though he was already in secondary school.
Through perseverance and teacher guidance, Nazril now reads more fluently, demonstrates academic achievement, and looks to the future with optimism. This progress reflects the success of the intensive mentoring approach implemented by the People’s School.
Nazril is one of thousands of students who face not only economic constraints but also basic literacy skills. The People’s School provides a space for children like Nazril to catch up without stigma.
The program targets families with the lowest welfare levels based on the National Socio-Economic Single Data, thus ensuring that assistance is well-targeted and has a broad impact.
As a national priority program of President Prabowo Subianto, the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) is designed as a model for integrated poverty alleviation. Education is integrated with various flagship government programs, including free nutritious meals, health checks, health insurance, and family economic empowerment. This integrated approach reinforces public belief that education is the primary gateway to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Similar appreciation came from the local government. South Kalimantan Deputy Governor Hasnuryadi Sulaiman viewed the People’s School as a concrete solution to reduce the number of school dropouts, particularly among underprivileged communities. The presence of this national program provides a concrete solution to the education challenges faced by many regions.
Hasnuryadi emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto’s directive demonstrates a strong concern for the poor, who still face limited access to education. The People’s School is seen as a key breaker in the chain of school dropout rates and a strategic step in developing quality human resources. The South Kalimantan Provincial Government has expressed its full support for the program’s implementation, as its benefits are directly felt by the community.
The launch of hundreds of People’s Schools in various provinces across the country has clearly demonstrated the country’s strong commitment to continuously strive to provide education without discrimination for all future generations of the nation.
The program has successfully created equal opportunities for all children to continue learning and develop, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Support from the community, central government, and regional governments strengthens the position of the People’s School as a crucial foundation towards a Golden Indonesia 2045.
By embodying the concept of holistic education and taking sides with all groups without discrimination, even those who are most vulnerable, the People’s School is considered a very effective government program for rebuilding opportunities for all Indonesian children without exception.
This program not only rekindles their once-faded dreams, but also further affirms that a decent education is a right for every child of the nation, and should be accessible to all elements inclusively, not just a privileged few. (*)
)* The author is a member of the Core Media Institution