Jakarta — The government, through the Ministry of Social Affairs, has launched the People’s School Program (Sekolah Rakyat) as a tangible manifestation of the state’s commitment to providing equitable and inclusive education access for underprivileged and vulnerable communities.
The program is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority agenda to reach segments of society that have long been underserved in development, especially in the education sector.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf emphasized that Sekolah Rakyat is designed to meet the educational needs of children from low-income families who have not been accommodated by the formal education system. He stated that the program represents a concrete step by the current administration to deliver social justice in education.
“President Prabowo’s Sekolah Rakyat program aims to reach those who have been left behind. Many of our brothers and sisters remain untouched by development, particularly in the field of education,” said Saifullah Yusuf, widely known as Gus Ipul.
Unlike public schools, Sekolah Rakyat does not accept open enrollment. The program is targeted based on the National Unified Economic Data, ensuring that only the poor and extremely poor benefit. This data-driven approach is considered more effective in reducing educational access inequality.
The program has received support from numerous regional leaders. Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, sees Sekolah Rakyat as a major step forward in the struggle to provide education for all. He noted that many children from low-income families in his province still face significant barriers to formal education.
“Sekolah Rakyat is a major step in addressing educational access challenges, especially for those who have long been left behind,” Andra Soni stated.
He stressed that education should not be a privilege reserved for the affluent, but rather a bridge of social justice accessible to every child regardless of economic background.
Similarly, Chairman of Semarang City DPRD, Kadar Lusman, also expressed his appreciation for the program. He believes that Sekolah Rakyat could be a strategic solution to break the cycle of poverty through education, and to help prevent a rise in school dropout rates.
“The hope is that with Sekolah Rakyat, real opportunities will be provided to the people. Hopefully, it will ease the burden on families and eliminate school dropouts,” he said.
With its inclusive, adaptive, and community-responsive education model, Sekolah Rakyat is expected to become a key instrument in accelerating national education equity. The program also fosters collaboration between central government, local authorities, and the public in building a more just and accessible education ecosystem.
