By: Dhita Karuniawati
Education is a key pillar in building the future of a nation that is advanced and competitive. In efforts to educate the nation’s future, the role of teachers cannot be underestimated. They are on the front lines, educating the next generation, especially those who serve in remote areas and are part of alternative educational programs like School Rakyat.
The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) will operate the School Rakyat program throughout Indonesia in 2025. The secondary school level (SMA) of the School Rakyat program will begin operating in July 2025, in line with the new academic year of 2025/2026.
As part of the preparation, the School Rakyat Formulation Team, led by Mohammad Nuh, will begin recruiting teachers and students starting April 1, 2025. The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) plans to recruit 60,000 teachers to teach at School Rakyat.
School Rakyat is one of the programs initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, with the Ministry of Social Affairs as the responsible body. Its main objective is to provide free and quality education to children from underprivileged families, with the hope that they can improve their quality of life and become agents of change within society to break the cycle of poverty.
The Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), stated that in the initial phase, the program will begin with secondary education (SMA), but Prabowo aims to expand the program to include primary (SD) and junior secondary schools (SMP) as well.
Gus Ipul also mentioned that the government decided to prioritize ASN (State Civil Apparatus) and PPPK (Government Employee with Work Agreement) teachers to be assigned to teach at School Rakyat. Recruitment from graduates of the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program will only be an option if the number of teachers is still deemed insufficient.
Gus Ipul added that the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Dikdasmen) has sent a letter to regional heads to collect data on ASN and PPPK teachers who meet the requirements to become educators at School Rakyat. These teachers will be prioritized to become school principals.
Gus Ipul hopes that the recruited ASN and PPPK teachers for School Rakyat will be prioritized for those who have not yet been placed. This way, no reassignment of teachers will be necessary. However, this policy will be subject to the authority of each local government.
Various local governments have proposed land for the School Rakyat program. The land proposed for School Rakyat by regional governments must be at least five hectares in size. Currently, there are 53 locations for School Rakyat that are ready to operate. Some are already buildings, while others are still plots of land.
The Ministry of Public Works will survey the proposed land submitted by local governments. The results of this survey will then be followed up with either the construction of new buildings or the revitalization of old ones.
Teachers in the School Rakyat program not only teach standard lesson material like teachers in formal schools but also act as facilitators, motivators, and even protectors for the students. In many cases, these teachers also serve as social movers, working to raise awareness about the importance of education within the community.
The learning methods used at School Rakyat are often contextual and flexible, adjusting to the needs and conditions of the local community. Teachers are expected to be creative in delivering lessons with limited facilities. This type of dedication cannot simply be measured by statistics but must be valued as a real commitment to the nation.
Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, emphasized that his ministry fully supports the development of the School Rakyat infrastructure. He ensured that basic infrastructure, such as school buildings, dormitories, sanitation, and other learning facilities, will be adequately provided.
Dody said that this is crucial to ensure that Indonesian children, especially those from extremely poor backgrounds, have access to quality education. He explained that the Ministry of Public Works’ support for School Rakyat is a direct implementation of President Prabowo’s vision in Asta Cita, which places the education sector as one of the main pillars for achieving Indonesia Emas 2045.
According to Dody, the success of the School Rakyat program cannot be achieved by the efforts of just one or two ministries but requires synergy and collaboration between agencies and local governments.
Dody urged all parties, including relevant ministries/agencies and local governments, to commit to ensuring that this program progresses as per the President’s targets. Adequate infrastructure will provide a solid foundation for the younger generation to achieve a brighter future.
Active community involvement in supporting School Rakyat can create an inclusive and sustainable education ecosystem. When teachers feel appreciated and supported, their motivation to teach will grow, which will ultimately have a positive impact on the children they educate.
Teachers are the main pillars of education, and the teachers supporting School Rakyat are unsung heroes who are willing to serve in areas often overlooked. It is time for the government and all elements of the nation to strengthen their commitment to ensuring their welfare. By providing real support in the form of incentives, facilities, and formal recognition, we contribute to building a fairer and more educated future for all children of the nation.
Let us support the government’s commitment to ensuring that the teachers supporting School Rakyat receive their rightful welfare. Because quality and equitable education can only be achieved if our educators are given the proper place in policy and at the forefront of development.
)* The author is a Contributor at the Indonesian Strategic Information Studies Institute.
