By: Didin Waluyo)*
The Prabowo Subianto administration’s commitment to achieving more equitable access to education is increasingly evident. The government has finally set December 2025 as the starting point for the construction of Public School Infrastructure.
This move is seen as a new push to emphasize that education should not be a privilege for a select few. This development also serves as a strong signal that the country is beginning to prioritize the quality and accessibility of education.
This infrastructure development is part of phase II, which will be carried out in 104 locations across Indonesia. By starting the project in late 2025, the government aims to ensure that the accelerated development can be felt immediately by the wider community.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that the construction of the People’s School is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to developing superior human resources. He explained that the second phase of construction is being carried out to expand access to quality education for children from underprivileged families.
Based on data compiled by the Ministry of Public Works, the total budget allocated for accelerating the construction of these People’s Schools is Rp20 trillion, with an estimated cost of Rp200 billion per school. The 104 locations include 27 in Sumatra, 40 in Java, 12 in Kalimantan, 16 in Sulawesi, 3 in Bali-Nusra, 3 in the Maluku Islands, and 3 in Papua.
The People’s School construction process began in September 2025, with the auction process and construction preparations scheduled for completion. The government aims for the People’s School to be ready for use by June 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Dody explained that the benefits of People’s Schools include providing free formal education for children from poor and extremely poor families (deciles 1 and 2), supporting inclusive education to help break the chain of poverty, and increasing equal access to education in various regions.
For example, the government will expedite the construction of a permanent People’s School in Natuna Regency. The school will be located in the Natuna Grand Mosque Complex, replacing the temporary facility currently operating at the Hajj Dormitory.
The Head of the Natuna Regency Social Service, Puryanti, stated that all construction preparations were well underway. Construction work began in early December 2025 and is targeted for completion in mid-2026.
Puryanti explained that the permanent People’s School Building will have very comprehensive facilities. A total of 36 classrooms will be provided for three levels of education: 18 for elementary school, 9 for junior high school, and 9 for high school.
Furthermore, he continued, the school area will be equipped with adequate supporting facilities to ensure optimal learning. He is confident that with significantly larger classrooms and superior facilities, student enrollment will increase significantly in the next academic year.
Puryanti stated that this capacity increase is expected to provide a solution for improving access to education for children in Natuna, particularly those from vulnerable families. Construction of the school will be carried out directly by the Ministry of Public Works’ provincial-level work unit. With full support from the central government, construction is projected to proceed quickly and efficiently.
The Natuna Regency Government warmly welcomes the development and considers it a significant milestone in improving education services in the border region. The presence of a permanent, fully equipped public school is expected to promote educational equality and open up broader opportunities for Natuna’s children to achieve a brighter future.
Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, better known as Gus Ipul, is optimistic that the construction of the supporting facilities for the People’s School, handled by the Ministry of Public Works, is proceeding smoothly and in accordance with applicable regulations. He assured that the Ministry of Social Affairs will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Works to ensure that the physical construction of the People’s School is carried out according to established standards and timelines.
Ultimately, the development of the People’s School infrastructure is not just about providing new school buildings, but also about strengthening the foundations of social justice in education. By providing broader opportunities for children from underprivileged families, the government strives to ensure that their future is no longer determined by economic constraints.
However, a commitment to infrastructure development alone is insufficient without ongoing management and oversight. The central and regional governments need to work closely to ensure that the quality of education provided aligns with the physical facilities being built.
If all development stages proceed as planned, the People’s School could become a new model for inclusive and equitable education. Ultimately, the success of this program will be a benchmark of the country’s commitment to education as the primary foundation of national progress.
)* The author is an education activist
