Banyuwangi – The government’s commitment to providing the widest possible access to education for the community continues to be realized through the development of the People’s School Program. Through this program, children from various backgrounds, especially those from underprivileged families, now have a greater opportunity to receive a decent, quality education.
A major step from the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Saifullah Yusuf, said the Government will build 100 new People’s School buildings throughout Indonesia, from a total of 165 locations that have been planned.
“The development will be funded by the state budget with an estimated amount of around Rp200 billion,” said Saifullah Yusuf.
He explained that President Prabowo Subianto is targeting each district to have at least one permanent People’s School building capable of accommodating at least 1,000 students from elementary to high school levels.
With the concept of integrated education, people no longer need to change schools between levels or be burdened with other costs that often become obstacles to continuing their education.
However, the government emphasized that development can only be carried out on land that is truly ready.
“The priority is clear and clean land, both in terms of administration and technical feasibility, such as land contour and slope. The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing will determine its feasibility,” explained Gus Ipul.
In addition, the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, A. Muhaimin Iskandar, said that People’s Schools not only provide buildings and learning facilities, but also offer a more personalized educational approach that suits the child’s character.
“From the beginning, students’ talents are mapped and managed so that their natural potential can develop optimally,” said Muhaimin Iskandar.
By early October 2025, the government aims to have all People’s Schools operational in various regions before expanding to all districts across Indonesia. With an inclusive education system and fully funded by the state, the People’s School Program is increasingly proving itself as a concrete path to improving access to education for all levels of society.
“Children who need it most are our top priority. In NTT alone, we’ve selected 100 students who are deemed most deserving of support,” said Muhaimin Iskandar.
With cross-ministerial support and public enthusiasm, the People’s School Program is expected to become a crucial foundation for developing a superior future generation. The government hopes that the presence of these talent-based and equal-opportunity schools will not only expand access to learning but also create fairer social mobility across the country.
