Minister Saifullah: People’s School Integrates with Other National Priority Programs

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, has reaffirmed that President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship initiative, Sekolah Rakyat or People’s School program, is an integral part of the government’s broader national poverty alleviation strategy. The program is designed not only to provide education for children from vulnerable families, but also to improve overall family welfare through an integrated approach.

“Today’s issue follows the President’s directive. Each regency and city is expected to have at least one People’s School, complete with permanent buildings capable of accommodating up to 1,000 students at the elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels,” Saifullah Yusuf said during a Working Meeting with Commission VIII of House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.

For 2026, he explained that the government has designated 104 land sites across Indonesia that have been declared “clear and clean” and are ready for construction this year. The land is provided by regency, city, or provincial governments, while construction will be funded through the state budget (APBN) and carried out by the Ministry of Public Works.

“This process is still being consolidated and reconciled by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Public Works. By the end of the year, we expect an additional 100 new sites. That means next year there will be 200 People’s School locations capable of accommodating around 60,000 students,” he said.

Saifullah Yusuf also revealed that President Prabowo has instructed that the People’s School program be integrated with all other government priority programs, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond students to their families. This directive represents a new government approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in a sustainable manner.

“This is the new element introduced by the President. How the People’s School program is integrated with other priority programs. As shown earlier, children receive education, parents are empowered, and their homes are renovated to become more liveable,” the minister said.

He also noted that this year, the People’s School program is targeted to enrol around 30,000 students, with total beneficiaries estimated to exceed 45,000 students. Next year, capacity is expected to increase by 60,000 students, gradually bringing the total number of participants to more than 100,000 students.

The minister added that if the construction of permanent school buildings continues consistently and reaches 500 locations, the People’s School program could enable more than 150,000 children from vulnerable families to graduate at the senior high school level each year.