Jakarta – The Indonesian government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the implementation of the People’s School program is transparent, fair, and free from the practice of student transfers. This policy is part of a national strategy to expand access to quality education for children from underprivileged families and is a concrete effort to break the cycle of poverty in Indonesia.
As of early 2026, the government had inaugurated 166 People’s Schools across 34 provinces and 131 districts/cities, providing educational services to nearly 16,000 students from families in deciles 1 and 2 of the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTSEN). These schools offer free education from elementary school to high school, including full boarding facilities, three meals a day, uniforms, and learning materials.
Responding to public perceptions or concerns regarding the potential for student deposits, the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Saifullah Yusuf, emphasized that the process of selecting and determining students is carried out accurately and based on data.
“So, the Minister of Social Affairs cannot entrust anyone with a place to attend a People’s School. The President’s directive is quite clear: there must be no bribery, no bribery to attend a People’s School,” said Gus Ipul.
The government also implemented a direct outreach mechanism for families through social workers and coordination with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the Social Services Agency, and the local Primary and Secondary Education Agency. Prospective students were identified through home visits, discussions with parents, and verification and validation of priority family data.
“Please, let’s monitor this together. There must be no bribery, no bribery, and no collusion in the selection of students for the People’s Schools,” Saifullah added.
The government’s commitment to eliminating the practice of “property transfer” is also emphasized in various operational policies. Among other things, student registration is not conducted publicly, but rather through a selection system based on national data, ensuring that only those who truly meet socio-economic criteria can participate in the process and be accepted as students. This also demonstrates the government’s commitment to upholding educational equity for all children without discrimination.
Previously, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, on various occasions stated that the People’s School is a major government strategy to guarantee the right to education while addressing social inequality.
“This boarding school is intended for children who may have previously had no hope, so that they can believe in the future again,” the president emphasized.
The government promises to continue strengthening the integrity of the selection process, improving the quality of learning, and expanding the reach of the People’s School program in line with national targets, so that every child who meets the requirements has the opportunity for a quality education without discrimination or intervention from any party.*
