By: Debora Amanda
In the effort to build a more just and prosperous future for Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto has taken a strategic step that deserves appreciation: encouraging the enhancement of Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) as part of a broader strategy to eliminate poverty. The Sekolah Rakyat program, which has received a positive response from the public, will now be expanded, with the goal of reaching 10,000 students from poor and extreme poverty-stricken families this year.
This move is a clear demonstration of President Prabowo’s commitment to ensuring that no child in Indonesia is left behind when it comes to access to education. Sekolah Rakyat is not just a formal learning space but a symbol of the state’s presence, showing concern and proactivity regarding the future of the nation’s disadvantaged children.
Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, explained that this capacity enhancement is a direct follow-up to President Prabowo’s directive. The Ministry of Social Affairs will increase the number of Sekolah Rakyat locations from 65 to 100. This capacity expansion will be achieved by intensifying the number of learning groups (rombel), without compromising the quality of education. By utilizing existing buildings in various regions, the state avoids the need to build from scratch, thus maintaining budget efficiency.
This policy demonstrates the boldness and correct direction of the national education policy, which is not solely focused on conventional formal schools but also targets the root cause of educational inequality: access. Children from extremely poor families often face structural barriers, not just financial limitations but also the distance to schools, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate community support. Sekolah Rakyat addresses all these issues.
Chairman of the Sekolah Rakyat Formation Team, Mohammad Nuh, emphasized that expanding locations and learning groups is not a compromise on quality. In fact, he argued, this step represents an efficient measure that still maintains educational standards. This means the government is not just expanding capacity but ensuring that every child attending Sekolah Rakyat receives a proper, quality education that meets national standards.
Vice Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priyono, echoed this sentiment, stressing that increasing capacity is not just about numbers or quantitative targets. It is a collective effort to create an equitable and transformative education system. Sekolah Rakyat is expected to become a symbol of inclusive and progressive education. He also expressed optimism that cross-sector collaboration between the central government, regional governments, communities, and the private sector will be key to the success of this expanded program.
Moreover, Acting Head of the Curriculum and Assessment Standards Agency (BSKAP), Toni Toharudin, added that the increased quota for Sekolah Rakyat specifically targets children from extreme poverty families. This is important because this group is most vulnerable to being trapped in the intergenerational poverty cycle. Through Sekolah Rakyat, they are given access to education that is not only free but also of quality. This is a concrete form of the state’s affirmation towards the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society.
This step also demonstrates synergy between social and educational approaches. Education cannot be separated from social policies that directly address the root causes of poverty. By improving access to education, particularly for the extremely poor, the state creates opportunities for upward social mobility and opens doors to a brighter future for generations that have long been left behind.
The expanding reach of Sekolah Rakyat also shows that the government is not standing idle while educational inequalities persist. With a spirit of prioritizing the people, the government is directly addressing the field, mapping needs, and providing real solutions. In this context, Sekolah Rakyat is not just a learning space but a tool to break the systemic poverty cycle.
Furthermore, this step shows the government’s ability to execute policy efficiently. By optimizing existing buildings and intensifying learning groups, the government avoids costly, long-term solutions. Instead, quick, precise, and measurable solutions are applied without reducing the quality of education. This is a form of progressive policy that addresses contemporary challenges with high social sensitivity.
The success of Sekolah Rakyat also heavily depends on public participation. The program will only be optimal if it is supported by all parties, from community leaders, parents, teachers, local governments, to private sector actors. Education is a shared responsibility. Therefore, collaboration is key.
The government has taken a significant first step. Now, it’s time for the community to act. Support in the form of direct involvement in communities, donations of educational facilities, and spreading the spirit of mutual cooperation in education are concrete actions that can be taken. Every child in Indonesia deserves a better future, and Sekolah Rakyat is one of the paths to achieve it.
Amid global uncertainty and various socio-economic challenges, President Prabowo’s commitment to expanding Sekolah Rakyat brings new hope. This program is proof that the state is present for all its people, without exception. With inclusive and quality education, not only does it educate the nation, but it also breaks the poverty cycle that has hindered progress for so long.
)* The author is a Public Policy Analyst.
