People’s Schools Promote Equal Education in Accordance with the Values of the Youth Pledge
Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the presence of the People’s School is the starting point for realizing new hopes for the nation’s children.
This program is a strategic step in fighting for equal education throughout the country, in line with the values of the Youth Pledge which emphasizes the spirit of unity and equality for all Indonesian children.
“I think it’s very encouraging today to learn that we have 100 People’s Schools established and operational, and I’ve also been told that another 65 schools will be operational this September. I think this is an extraordinary achievement,” said President Prabowo.
He emphasized that the People’s School was founded out of concern for the plight of some citizens still struggling to enjoy the true meaning of independence. Through this program, the government seeks to bring social justice to education.
“What’s clear is that we’re starting to see glimmers of hope. We’ve seen the bright outlook of children who may have been worried about what would happen,” the President said.
The Directorate General of Teachers, Education Personnel, and Teacher Education of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Nunuk Suryani, explained that People’s Schools are a concrete manifestation of the state’s presence in respecting the rights of every citizen to obtain quality education and health care.
“This school was built to break the cycle of poverty that persists between generations of poor families. Through this school, we hope to cultivate agents of change from poor families, helping them achieve a better standard of living, leading to a Golden Indonesia 2045,” said Nunuk.
He added that the People’s School is a symbol of social justice for all the nation’s children regardless of economic background.
With the presence of schools in remote, rural, and border areas, children from underprivileged families now have equal opportunities to learn, develop skills, and broaden their horizons.
Nunuk explained that the Ministry of Education and Culture plays a role in preparing teaching staff in Elementary Schools.
“Teacher candidates come from certified teacher-certified PPG Prospective Teacher program graduates, while school principal candidates come from data on local government civil servant teachers who have met the requirements according to the regulations,” he explained.
Education observer Ina Liem also praised the boarding school concept. She believes the boarding school system is an important innovation to protect children from exploitation and violence.
“Regular schools aren’t enough. These children need a safe and protected environment 24/7 so they can focus on their studies,” he said.
