RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is expanding the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) program to improve access to education for underprivileged children. The program currently serves around 22,000 students in 166 schools across various regions.

Head of the Agency for the Acceleration of Poverty Alleviation, Budiman Sudjatmiko, said the government plans to build 100 new schools this year to increase educational opportunities for children from low-income families.

He noted that many Indonesian children have big dreams, but not all receive a quality education, prompting President Prabowo Subianto to expand the program. Budiman conveyed this in a video message titled Indonesia in 60 Seconds, uploaded to his personal Instagram account on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Budiman said education is the most effective way to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Through People’s Schools, the government provides opportunities for poor children to improve their future quality of life.

He explained that the Agency for the Acceleration of Poverty Alleviation coordinates poverty alleviation programs to make them more targeted and integrated. The People’s School, he continued, is an important part of the national strategy to improve human resources and open opportunities for broader social mobility.

The government is also developing the Garuda Excellence School, integrated with a new campus, designed to produce a generation skilled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Budiman emphasized that Indonesian children should not only be spectators in the technological era but must become creators, researchers, and innovators who can compete globally. “Indonesia’s future should not be determined by where someone is born. Opportunities to learn and develop must be available to all Indonesian children,” he said.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Fajar Riza Ul Haq, said the People’s School program expands access to education for children from vulnerable families. Initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, the program is also considered a form of social justice.

Fajar made this statement during a visit to the People’s School in Cibadak, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

According to Fajar, the People’s School demonstrates the government’s commitment to guaranteeing every Indonesian child’s right to education. He said learning opportunities must remain open to children from families facing economic hardship.

The program, he added, provides children with a bridge to a better future by helping them develop their potential and obtain a proper education. “This People’s School is a golden bridge for these children, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. We encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity and study diligently,” he said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)