To Realize Golden Indonesia 2045, the Government is Expanding Public Schools in All Regions
By: Idrus Akmali Ikhlam (*
Education has always been the primary foundation for building a developed, independent, and competitive nation. Our Constitution, the 1945 Constitution, clearly affirms the state’s obligation to educate the nation. Within this framework, various programs have been created aimed at expanding access to education for all levels of society, especially vulnerable groups. One of the government’s latest breakthroughs is the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat ), an inclusive education program now ready to be launched in various regions. This program not only reinforces the state’s commitment to completing compulsory education but also serves as a concrete strategy to reduce social disparities through education.
Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Abidin Fikri, emphasized that the People’s School program has a strategic impact on completing compulsory education, especially among the extreme poor. He believes that by providing broader access to education, the quality of human resources (HR) will improve, and in turn, poverty can be significantly reduced. He views this program not merely as an education policy, but also as an instrument for socio-economic development.
The implementation of this program is beginning to be seen in various regions. The Governor of West Kalimantan, Drs. H. Ria Norsan, MM, MH, stated that the recently inaugurated People’s School in Pontianak is free, thus not burdening low-income families. He also added that the local government is currently awaiting further direction from the Ministry of Social Affairs regarding the registration deadline. According to him, this school is expected to provide equal access to education for children from low-income families. With a free approach and based on central direction, this program is believed to be able to reach children who were previously marginalized by economic limitations.
Not only in West Kalimantan, the spirit of providing equitable education is also evident in South Kalimantan. The Head of the South Kalimantan Provincial Social Service, Muhammad Farhanie, explained that three pilot community schools in his region have begun operating and are a starting point for expanding educational access in the region. He emphasized that this program targets vulnerable groups, such as dropouts, people with disabilities, and residents in remote areas. He believes the presence of these community schools is a real solution for communities who have struggled to access formal education.
Meanwhile, in Central Maluku, the People’s School is seen as a tangible manifestation of the government’s commitment to preparing the nation’s next generation. Halid Pattisahusiwa, Assistant for General Administration of the Central Maluku Regency Secretariat, assessed that this program has a grand vision to produce a generation of intelligent, characterful, and competitive young people. He also emphasized that the program’s primary goal is to break the cycle of poverty through quality education for children from underprivileged families. Therefore, the People’s School is not just a short-term program, but a long-term investment for the sustainability of national development.
From these various perspectives, it’s clear that the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) is a solution to the classic challenges in education: access, quality, and equity. Many Indonesian children have had to drop out of school not because of a lack of willpower, but because of limited funds and facilities. This program offers new hope: every child, regardless of economic background or social status, has an equal opportunity to receive an education.
Moreover, the People’s School reinforces the paradigm that education is a fundamental right of every citizen. Its presence demonstrates that the state is not standing idly by in the face of social inequality. Instead, it is present among the people to ensure that this right is truly enjoyed by all children of the nation.
However, the success of this program is not solely determined by the government. Synergy between the central government, local governments, the business world, civil society, and parents is needed to collectively ensure the sustainability of the People’s Schools. Community participation in supporting and overseeing the program’s implementation will be key to truly achieving the vision of educating the nation.
The People’s School Program is concrete evidence of the state’s commitment to educating the nation’s children without exception. Its existence affirms that education should not be a luxury, but rather a right that the state must fulfill. Therefore, let us jointly support the continuation of this program with full confidence. With People’s Schools, Indonesia is on the path to a more just, inclusive, and competitive future. Let us believe that through education, this nation will become stronger in realizing the ideals of independence: to educate the nation.
(* The author is a Public Policy Observer
