The Government Continues to Intensify the People’s School Program to Accelerate Breaking the Chain of Poverty
By: Antonius Googie)*
The Indonesian government, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, continues to demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the quality of human resources through education. One major breakthrough currently being intensively implemented is the People’s School Program, which is expected to be an effective solution to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
Indramayu Regency, West Java, is one of the implementation points for this program. The presence of Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) and Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono in a dialogue with prospective Elementary School students at the Indramayu Vocational Training Center (BLK) reaffirmed the central government’s full support for this strategic program.
According to the Minister of Social Affairs, People’s Schools (Sekolah Rakyat) will operate in 65 locations across Indonesia, enrolling nearly 16,000 students by 2025. This program not only provides access to free education but also provides a boarding-based learning model, nutritious meals, and a curriculum tailored to students’ needs. Indramayu was chosen because its regent is strong and agile, enabling him to secure the opportunity. He wants children from diverse backgrounds to receive a decent education.
One of the unique features of the People’s School is its zero-appraisal process. Every child, even those with less than ideal health and nutritional needs, is accepted for an equal education. Initial screenings revealed that many prospective students suffered from anemia, malnutrition, and dental problems. However, these conditions further underscored the urgency of this program.
Students at the People’s School will receive complete facilities: dormitories, a disciplined three-meal daily meal plan with snacks, eight sets of uniforms, and laptops provided directly by President Prabowo. In addition to formal education, students are also provided with character education and religious instruction, and are guided to develop their interests and talents through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Gus Ipul stated that for the time being, learning activities will be held at the Indramayu Vocational Training Center (BLK). However, next year, a permanent building will be built in Cikawung Village on seven hectares of land with a capacity of more than 1,000 students from elementary, middle, and high school levels.
President Prabowo also conveyed a moral message to the students: Study well, respect your teachers, love your father and mother, be diligent in worship, always be polite to your friends, exercise regularly, love your country, stay enthusiastic, and always be happy. Indramayu Regent Lucky Hakim expressed his appreciation for the central government’s attention. Nutrition and education are key to a child’s future. This program is real and full of compassion.
Not only Indramayu, Bandung Regency is also preparing for this program. Bandung Regent Dadang Supriatna aims for the Ciwidey Public School to be completed by June 2026, with a capacity of up to 1,000 students. The Bandung Regency Government has even prepared eight hectares of land for construction.
If construction is not completed this year, the number of students will skyrocket. The Regent of Bandung has asked all parties to oversee the acceleration of construction so that it can be completed by the 2025/2026 academic year. He hopes Bandung Regency will have at least two public schools, one in Ciwidey and the other in Nagreg, given the vast area and the large number of children needing access to education.
Bisma Staniarto, Director General of Strategic Infrastructure at the Ministry of Social Affairs, emphasized the importance of synergy between regional and central governments. New students will be recruited annually, while teaching staff will be systematically prepared with support from the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform and the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education.
By the end of September 2025, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo noted that 165 pilot public schools were operating across Indonesia. In Semarang City, he opened the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) at Integrated Public School (SRT) 45, which caters to elementary and high school levels, with a total of 100 students per class. The President wants to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through education. Children from poor families must have equal opportunities to realize their dreams.
Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti reiterated her support. She hopes the People’s School will produce a generation of character who will become leaders, entrepreneurs, and outstanding professionals. One of the students’ parents, Alimah, said she has been greatly helped by the school.
The People’s School Program is clearly more than just an ordinary education project. More than that, it represents a long-term investment for the nation, creating a healthy, intelligent, and competitive generation. With dormitory facilities, balanced nutrition, and technology-based talent mapping, this program ensures that children from poor families are no longer trapped in a cycle of limitations. Furthermore, local government involvement is key to its success. The support of regents, mayors, and relevant ministries demonstrates that education cannot be solely the responsibility of the central government but must be a collaborative effort across all levels of government.
The People’s School has now become a symbol of President Prabowo’s concern for the future of the nation’s children. The hope is that this program will produce a generation of Indonesians who are not only academically intelligent, but also have character, are healthy, and are ready to compete on the global stage. With the increasing number of People’s Schools in various regions, the dream of breaking the cycle of poverty through education is no longer just talk, but a growing reality.
)* Observer of educational issues
