Banjarbaru – The government has reaffirmed its commitment to developing human resources through education by inaugurating 166 People’s Schools (SR) across Indonesia. The inauguration, conducted by President Prabowo Subianto in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, recently marked a strong commitment by the government to providing access to adequate, inclusive, and equitable education for children from underprivileged families.
In his remarks, President Prabowo emphasized that People’s Schools are a strategic step to break the chain of poverty and place human development as a national priority.
“Through this inauguration, the government emphasizes that human development through education is a top priority. The People’s School is a concrete manifestation of the state’s commitment to children who have had limited access to quality education,” said President Prabowo.
The President also expressed his emotion and pride after witnessing the progress of the People’s School students firsthand. He stated that this program stemmed from the government’s courage in taking an unconventional yet much-needed step for the people.
“Let’s do something perhaps unconventional: build the best school possible. A boarding school for those who may have no hope, those from disadvantaged families,” President Prabowo continued.
On that occasion, the President advised the students to never feel inferior because of their family background, and emphasized that every job of parents is noble because it is done with honesty and hard work.
“Respect your parents. If necessary, go home, bow down, and kiss their feet. Never be ashamed. They are more noble than intelligent but corrupt people who betray the state and nation,” he stressed.
Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) Rini Widyantini stated that the People’s School program aligns with the government’s Asta Cita (Asta Cita) program to strengthen human resource development. She explained that the People’s School not only provides free education but also nutritional needs, health services, and character development.
“This is the President’s program to bring the government closer to the people. So, the smaller the gap between government agencies and the people, the more prosperous the people will truly be,” he said.
Rini added that, although under the authority of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the People’s Schools were established through collaboration across ministries and agencies. The Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) plays a role in ensuring optimal governance and human resource provision by prioritizing the merit system principle to ensure program sustainability.
“This is the spirit of bureaucratic reform that we are promoting: a bureaucracy that works together, transcends organizational barriers, and avoids being trapped by sectoral egos,” Rini said.
The inauguration of 166 People’s Schools affirms the government’s commitment to truly represent the nation, opening up new hopes, and ensuring that children from disadvantaged families have equal opportunities to achieve a better future.
