By: Irfan Nurmaji)*
The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing quality and equal access to education for all people. One of the major breakthroughs that is currently being realized is the establishment of the People’s School, as a real solution for children from underprivileged families who have faced economic obstacles in pursuing education.
The People’s School Program is a real proof of the state’s commitment to the future of Indonesia’s young generation, especially those living in the 3T (frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged) areas. With a boarding school -based approach , this school not only eliminates the burden of education costs, but also provides full facilities for students to study intensively and in a structured manner.
A total of 100 People’s Schools are planned to be built in stages in various districts and cities throughout Indonesia. This development will be an important milestone in realizing educational justice which has so far been homework for the nation.
To ensure the quality of education in the People’s School remains superior, the Director General of Teachers, Education Personnel and Leading Teachers (GKTPG) of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Nunuk Suryani, said that the teachers who will teach are the best graduates of the Teacher Professional Education (PPG). They will be recruited as ASN teachers with the PPPK (Government Employees with Work Agreement) scheme.
A total of 1,514 ASN teachers are prepared to fill the needs of teaching staff in 100 early-stage Elementary Schools. These human resources are strictly selected from 59 thousand fresh graduate PPG graduates, showing that the government is not just building schools, but also focusing on the quality of education.
Director General Nunuk Suryani stated that her party is not only preparing teachers and principals, but also a special curriculum that will be implemented in the People’s School. This curriculum is designed to be adaptive, contextual, and focuses on strengthening character and 21st century competencies, including digital literacy and life skills.
Meanwhile, the principal selection process has been carried out earlier, involving ASN teachers who already have experience and leadership track records in regular schools. This is a strategic step so that Sekolah Rakyat has strong management from the start of operations.
The government’s concrete steps are also seen from the readiness of the areas designated as the initial locations for the People’s School. One successful example is Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi, which is considered very ready to start implementing this program.
Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Robben Rico , recently directly reviewed the location of the People’s School in South Sulawesi Province, Soppeng Regency. He expressed his high appreciation for the readiness of the Regency Government and all elements of the Forkopimda who fully support this development.
Robben Rico said that the land for the construction of the school has been cleared administratively and legally. With the land certificate complete, the construction process is just waiting for planning synchronization with the PUPR Ministry.
Not only that, Robben Rico emphasized that the People’s School in Soppeng will be a pioneer and a model for other regions. The target is for the school to start operating in September this year or at the latest early next year.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has coordinated intensively with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of PAN-RB, and the State Civil Service Agency (BKN) to accelerate the recruitment and placement process of educators in public schools.
Support from local governments is key to the success of this program. Cross-sectoral collaboration between the central and local governments shows positive synergy in realizing the ideals of inclusive education in Indonesia.
According to Robben Rico, Soppeng Regency is an example of a compact and responsive region in welcoming the central government’s initiative. This support will be a differentiating factor that accelerates the realization of public school development in the region.
The People’s School Program also targets other areas in South Sulawesi, such as Makassar City, Wajo Regency, and Bone. This expansion plan shows that this program is not just a pilot project, but a national movement that will reach all corners of the country.
In addition to formal education, the People’s School is designed to instill national values, discipline, and social empathy. Students will live in a dormitory environment that supports the formation of positive character from an early age.
Infrastructure and supporting facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, places of worship, and dormitories will be built to national standards. This is the government’s commitment to provide a learning experience that is equal to other leading schools.
With this holistic approach, the People’s School is expected to be the answer to the challenges of educational disparities that have been a concern. Education is no longer a privilege, but the right of every child of the nation without exception.
The presence of ASN teachers from fresh graduate PPG graduates adds optimism. They are known to have high spirits, strong idealism, and have received mature professionalism through intensive training.
Through the People’s School, the government is not only building school buildings, but also building the hopes and future of the younger generation. This is a long-term investment to create superior human resources who are ready to compete in the global era.
With all the efforts and coordination across ministries and regions, Sekolah Rakyat is proof that the government is serious about providing quality education regardless of the economic background of students. The future of Indonesian education looks increasingly bright.
)* The author is a Makassar student living in Jakarta
