Jakarta – The central government is accelerating the establishment of People’s Schools in remote areas as part of an effort to open access to education for children from poor families, particularly in rural areas. This program is not only intended to build new educational facilities, but is also designed as a long-term poverty alleviation strategy that addresses the root causes of unequal access to basic services.
This commitment emerged during an audience between Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono and East Kalimantan Deputy Governor Seno Aji and Mahakam Ulu Regent Angela Idang Belawan at the Ministry of Social Affairs office. The meeting specifically discussed the proposed establishment of a People’s School in East Kalimantan, including a pilot project in Mahakam Ulu, a region known for its significant geographical challenges.
During the meeting, Agus Jabo emphasized the need for swift action from the local government to ensure the construction process can begin immediately. “Now is not the time for idle talk. Please, the district government, request that the project be processed immediately this year so that the project can be built and accept new students,” Agus Jabo said. He emphasized that complete documentation and land preparation are key to ensuring the program doesn’t stall at the discussion stage.
According to Agus Jabo, the People’s School is designed as an integrated education program that also serves as an instrument for poverty alleviation. This initiative is a priority of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, with a boarding school approach that allows children from vulnerable families to receive education, character development, and basic needs guaranteed. “This People’s School is a miniature version of poverty alleviation. Education is the main gateway to breaking intergenerational poverty,” he said.
Nationally, this program has shown significant progress. A total of 166 pilot People’s Schools are operating in various regions, enrolling over 15,000 students. Furthermore, the government has begun building 104 permanent People’s Schools. The medium-term target is to establish 500 People’s Schools across all regencies and cities in Indonesia, each with a capacity of up to 1,000 students.
For Mahakam Ulu, the presence of the People’s School is considered crucial. This border region still faces limited access to education due to long distances, the geographical conditions of rivers and forests, and a lack of facilities. Angela Idang Belawan stated the local government’s readiness to immediately follow up on the central government’s directive. “We will immediately process the land administration and process the pilot project for the People’s School in Mahakam Ulu,” she said.
The accelerated push to establish People’s Schools in East Kalimantan offers a glimmer of hope for poor families in rural areas. If implemented on time, this program will not only open up learning opportunities for previously marginalized children but also represent a strategic step for the government to end structural poverty and build a more equitable future.