By: Febri Ramadhan )*
President Prabowo’s initiative to build 500 Public Schools is a major step that must be viewed not merely as an educational program, but also as a social movement to break the cycle of poverty. This plan deserves full support from all parties, as education is the main gateway for the nation’s children to escape the shackles of poverty.
President Prabowo emphasized that the government will gradually increase the construction of public schools, targeting 100 new schools each year, with the goal of establishing 500 public schools across Indonesia within five years. This program is aimed at reaching impoverished communities so that their children can access a decent education.
The President also emphasized the plan to extend this program beyond deciles 1 and 2, but also include deciles 3, 4, and 5, so that all Indonesian children can enjoy a quality education. He believes that this nation must not lag behind other countries, and one way to achieve this is to ensure that every child receives the best education that can build self-confidence.
The President stated that the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) is expected to be a place that fosters self-confidence in children from underprivileged families, while providing them with the best education facilities. This is crucial to ensure the younger generation is not left behind in global competition. The President emphasized that children who initially feel inferior due to their families’ economic conditions must be provided with a learning environment that encourages them to dare to dream and achieve their goals.
During his visit to the Margaguna Senior High School (Sekolah Rakyat) in South Jakarta, the President assessed that the available facilities were excellent, from the dormitory to the learning support facilities. He believed the school could be a concrete example of improving the quality of national education.
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono added that President Prabowo has clear targets for the students of the People’s School. They are expected to be intelligent, possess national and religious character, and be equipped with practical skills. Agus Jabo explained that high school graduates of the People’s School who continue on to college will continue to receive skills training so they are ready to work and support their parents.
He emphasized that the downstreaming of education must ensure that every graduate has knowledge that meets the needs of the times, including information technology skills, language proficiency, and relevant practical skills. This way, graduates of the people’s school can become economically independent from an early age.
In the Harapan Baru Elementary School Perspective Dialogue in Jakarta, Agus Jabo emphasized that after graduation, students have two options: continuing their higher education or going straight to work. The government has even explored collaboration with universities to provide pathways for elementary school graduates.
Regents and mayors also provide scholarship programs so that children who wish to continue their studies can do so without financial burden. Furthermore, President Prabowo instructed that parents be empowered, including by renovating uninhabitable homes so they can better support their children’s education.
Regut Sutrasto, Principal of Jakarta Elementary School 6, explained that students’ activity patterns are strictly regulated, from waking up to going to bed, so that character education can be optimally implemented. He added that boarding schools provide teachers with more opportunities to guide the children. In addition to academic activities, students can also participate in extracurricular activities such as pencak silat, dancing, graphic design, and futsal. All of these are designed to develop strong physical and mental health.
Regut emphasized that their curriculum aims to transform feelings of inferiority into self-confidence, while also unlocking each child’s potential through talent mapping programs such as DNA talent mapping.
This program has received support from various regions, including the Tanjungpinang City Government. Mayor Lis Darmansyah revealed that the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) in her area has reached its full enrollment quota. The elementary school (SD) has two study groups, with 50 students enrolled, while the junior high and senior high schools each accept 25 students, for a total of 100 students.
Lis emphasized that the People’s School in Tanjungpinang is the first state boarding school truly dedicated to the poor. The boarding school system allows children from low-income families to receive free education, housing, food, learning materials, and healthcare. According to Lis, this will break the cycle of poverty and provide every child with an equal opportunity to achieve a successful future.
Secretary of the Social Services Office of the Riau Islands ProvinceYeni added that the People’s School is a central government program targeted for every district and city. Its educational method combines national standards with character building, skills development, entrepreneurship, digitalization, and the use of a Learning Management System (LMS). Each student will also receive a free laptop to support the learning process. With this educational model, children are expected to be able to compete globally without losing their identity and moral values.
We should welcome the government’s efforts to build 500 People’s Schools with optimism. This program is not just about providing schools, but also creating an educational ecosystem that liberates and empowers. If all elements of society support it, it is possible that the next generation will grow into intelligent individuals with character and be ready to face the challenges of the times. Let us support each other so that all Indonesian children, without exception, receive the right to a decent and quality education.
)* The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute
