President Prabowo Inaugurates Sekolah Rakyat, Strengthening Education for the Nation’s Welfare
By: Raditya Rahman)
President Prabowo has inaugurated Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) as an important milestone in the direction of national education policy that places welfare as the main objective of human development.
The inauguration affirms the state’s commitment to children from underprivileged families who for many years have remained on the margins of access to quality education. Through Sekolah Rakyat, education is no longer merely a place of learning, but a strategic instrument to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Sekolah Rakyat was born out of the awareness that educational inequality directly contributes to social inequality. Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) show that millions of school-age children are out of school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out.
These conditions prompted the government to adopt a more comprehensive approach—not only by opening classrooms, but by building an educational ecosystem that protects, nurtures, and empowers students and their families simultaneously.
The program adopts a formal boarding school model from elementary to senior high school levels, with diplomas officially recognized by the state. All student needs are fully covered by the government, including education costs, dormitories, nutritious meals, healthcare services, uniforms, and learning technology devices.
Children from families in the lowest income deciles (deciles one and two) are given the opportunity to receive education equivalent to that of elite schools without any financial burden, ensuring that economic background no longer determines one’s future.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf emphasized that Sekolah Rakyat is a presidential initiative rooted in concern for community groups that have long been overlooked in the development process.
The government provides access, accommodation, and learning opportunities within a high-quality environment, while also implementing empowerment programs for students’ parents. This approach positions education as an integral part of the poverty alleviation strategy, as children attend school while families simultaneously experience upward social and economic mobility. According to him, this concept represents an important policy legacy in building social justice through education.
Initial results from the implementation of Sekolah Rakyat demonstrate tangible impacts. Evaluations by the Ministry of Social Affairs recorded significant improvements in students’ physical condition and health thanks to the 24-hour education system with controlled nutritional intake.
Anemia rates have declined, physical growth has improved, and some students have even gained enough weight and height that their uniforms no longer fit. These impacts underscore that proper education cannot be separated from the fulfillment of basic needs.
Academic development has also shown rapid progress. Sekolah Rakyat does not apply initial academic selection, allowing students with learning gaps to be accepted.
Through specialized learning methods and intensive mentoring, students who were previously unable to read or write fluently have been able to catch up within months. Learning enthusiasm has grown alongside increased self-confidence, as reflected in students’ interest in reading books beyond their formal lessons.
Character development is another important achievement. The Principal of Sekolah Rakyat Junior High School 13 Kupang, Felipina Agustina Kale, views Sekolah Rakyat as a concrete manifestation of social justice.
According to her, the school does not only pursue academic achievement, but also shapes new mindsets among children from underprivileged families. Many students arrive with feelings of inferiority due to structural poverty, but the boarding system and full mentoring gradually erode these feelings.
Character education takes place throughout the day, beginning with morning routines, religious activities, and continuing through the cultivation of discipline and courage in communication. Felipina observes clear changes in students’ attitudes—they become more confident, optimistic, and socially capable.
Support for the inauguration of Sekolah Rakyat has also come from civil society groups. Chairman of the Central Executive Board of Garuda Astacita Nusantara, Muhammad Burhanuddin, described the program as a highly visionary initiative by the Head of State in addressing educational disparities faced by poor and extremely poor families.
The direct presence of President Prabowo Subianto at the inauguration further underscores the seriousness of the state in fulfilling this commitment, rather than merely engaging in political rhetoric.
According to him, Sekolah Rakyat marks the beginning of a national strategy to achieve poverty alleviation through education and integrated empowerment of marginalized families.
To date, a total of 166 pilot Sekolah Rakyat have been operating across various regions of Indonesia, serving more than 15,000 students along with thousands of educators and education personnel.
This distribution reflects the government’s strong determination to ensure equitable access to education across the entire archipelago. Quality education combined with character building, improved health, and technological support is creating a strong foundation for the development of Indonesia’s future human resources.
The government’s inauguration of Sekolah Rakyat demonstrates that education is indeed a key pathway toward national welfare.
Moreover, the program has been carefully designed in line with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto to be implemented fairly and comprehensively. Through this initiative, the state is not merely building schools, but also building hope, dignity, and a future for generations that have long been marginalized—ensuring that no group is left behind and that all can progress together. (*)
*) The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute.
