Three New People’s Schools Open in Remote Riau Islands

RRI.CO.ID, Batam — The Indonesian Social Affairs Ministry has successfully launched three People’s Schools across the frontier, outermost, and least developed (3T) regions of the Riau Islands. This launch marks a significant step in the government’s mission to bridge the educational divide in remote archipelagic areas.

Social Affairs Minister, Saifullah Yusuf, confirmed that these specialized institutions are now operational, providing vital academic access to underprivileged children in strategically sensitive border zones.

Speaking in Batam on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, he detailed that the new facilities are located in the Anambas Islands Regency, Natuna Regency, and Tanjungpinang City. These locations were prioritized due to their geographical isolation and the urgent need for structured educational support for low-income families.

While these three are the first to open in the province, the Minister assured that more are currently in the developmental pipeline. “Riau Islands has three People’s Schools operating this year. Others are in the process, but there will be more in the future,” conveyed the Minister, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the program is a top-tier national priority executed under the direct mandate of President Prabowo Subianto. The President aims to establish at least one People’s School in every regency and city across Indonesia to ensure no child is left behind.

The initiative is not limited to the Riau Islands, as the Ministry is concurrently deploying similar models in other remote territories, including Maluku, Sidrap in South Sulawesi, and three locations in Papua.

“For 3T regions, the proof is there in Anambas and Natuna. In other areas like Maluku, Sidrap, and Papua, there are also three. So, from Sabang to Merauke, If God willing, they will exist,” said the Minister, highlighting the nationwide scale of the rollout.

To maintain high educational standards, the recruitment of teaching staff involves a rigorous selection process in partnership with the Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry. The government is focusing on quality control by ensuring that only certified professionals lead these classrooms.

“People's School’s teachers who can participate in the selection are those who have completed the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program,” explained Minister Saifullah.

The capacity of each school is designed to be flexible, accommodating between 50 and 200 students depending on the available infrastructure and local demand. Recognizing the logistical complexities of operating in 3T regions, the Ministry has adopted a multi-sectoral approach, involving various government branches to handle everything from school construction to student transportation.

The Minister stressed that the success of the program hinges on this collective effort rather than the work of a single agency. “This is not just the work of the Social Affairs Ministry. There is the Transportation Ministry, the Public Works Ministry, governors, regents, and mayors, everyone is involved in one large team,” concluded the Minister. ***