By: Nancy Dora
The government once again demonstrates its commitment to breaking the poverty cycle through the education sector by expanding the reach and capacity of Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools). Under the direct guidance of President Prabowo Subianto, this program is targeted to accommodate more children from poor and extremely poor families. This initiative is not just a short-term solution, but a transformative foundation to build social justice through equal and accessible education.
President Prabowo Subianto also approved the use of the budget for renovations, provided that it is carried out transparently and effectively. This support shows that the government’s commitment goes beyond conceptual plans and is being realized in tangible steps on the ground.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf emphasized that the development of Sekolah Rakyat must be comprehensive and planned. There should be no half-hearted approach. The existence of these schools is expected to be a new hope for communities that have long been marginalized by the conventional education system. By focusing on optimizing capacity and locations, Sekolah Rakyat is directed to become a model of inclusive education that aligns with the needs of the lower-income population.
The first step taken is to increase the number of learning groups (rombel) at locations with ready infrastructure. This intensification strategy allows one Sekolah Rakyat location, which previously only had two rombel, to expand to four rombel or more, depending on the building’s capacity. This directly increases the number of students accepted, while also maintaining budget efficiency by maximizing available facilities.
In addition to increasing capacity, the government has also made expanding Sekolah Rakyat locations a priority agenda. From the initial 65 verified locations, the program is now projected to grow to 100 locations by the end of this quarter. This significant achievement will allow the program to reach around 10,000 students nationwide. This expansion is done without burdening the state with the cost of new construction, as most of the new locations will repurpose existing buildings, with light renovations funded by the state’s transparent and accountable budget.
Head of the General Bureau at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Salahudin Yahya, emphasized that most buildings in regencies and cities have the potential to be used as Sekolah Rakyat locations without the need for new land procurement. This is a smart and solution-oriented strategy, considering the limited state budget that must be used wisely to benefit more recipients.
Chairman of the Sekolah Rakyat Formation Team, Prof. Mohammad Nuh, stressed the importance of managing public perception. According to him, increasing capacity and expanding locations is not a compromise on quality, but rather part of an efficiency effort to accelerate educational equity. Quality remains the main standard in the implementation of this program, and all rombel will undergo a curriculum and teaching process that is measurable and in accordance with national education standards.
The government understands that building people’s education is not just about numbers or the number of students accommodated. More than that, Sekolah Rakyat must be an instrument of equitable quality of life through education that can reach and uplift the dignity of the poor. Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo emphasized that this expansion is not just about increasing numbers, but further, it is a manifestation of the state’s commitment to providing affordable, quality, and equitable education.
The Sekolah Rakyat program is scheduled to begin operations in July 2025, covering 53 initial locations spread across various regions. In this initial phase, it will utilize 45 assets from the Ministry of Social Affairs, 6 assets from regional governments, and 2 assets from universities. The composition of learning groups will consist of 1 rombel for elementary school (SD), 63 rombel for junior high school (SMP), and 67 rombel for senior high school (SMA). In total, approximately 3,275 students will be part of the first cohort of beneficiaries of this program.
Public response to Sekolah Rakyat has shown high enthusiasm. By early May 2025, more than 5,000 prospective students had registered, even before the program officially starts. This fact demonstrates the real and urgent need for alternative, more inclusive education access, and the government has provided a concrete response to this need.
Looking ahead, Sekolah Rakyat is expected to not only be a place of learning but also a symbol of change and a new hope for the poor. The government continues to prioritize cross-sector collaboration in the implementation of this program, so that an education ecosystem that supports and sustains each other can be created.
Optimism about the success of this program is not only rooted in strong policy support but also in its implementation design, which is based on efficiency, community participation, and transparent management. Sekolah Rakyat is a concrete example that the state is present for the marginalized, with appropriate, rapid, and long-term solutions.
With the spirit of mutual cooperation and strong collaboration between the central government, local governments, and the community, Sekolah Rakyat is ready to be the front line of transformational education in Indonesia. This program not only increases the capacity of classrooms but also broadens hopes and creates a bright future for thousands of children who have long lived in limitations.
)* The author is an Education Analyst.
