Indonesia Accelerates Phase Two of People’s School Project

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is accelerating the construction of the second phase of permanent People’s Schools in various regions, with facilities scheduled to be ready before the start of the 2026/2027 academic year.

A total of 101 school units are targeted for completion by June 2026. The project is part of a national strategy to expand educational access for vulnerable communities.

Head of the Presidential Staff Office, Muhammad Qodari, said most Phase Two locations have entered the construction stage. “It is scheduled to be completed by June 20, 2026,” Qodari said in Jakarta on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The second phase covers 104 locations from Sumatra to Papua. The distribution includes 40 sites in Java, 26 in Sumatra, 12 in Kalimantan, and 16 in Sulawesi. Three sites are each in Bali, Nusa Tenggara, and Papua, while four are in Maluku.

“This distribution reflects efforts to ensure equitable access to education through the development of infrastructure across various regions, including underdeveloped areas and islands,” Qodari said.

As of March 23, 2026, national physical progress had reached 17.04 percent. Challenges remain at several sites, including land issues in Aceh Singkil and road access problems in East Lampung.

To accelerate completion, the Presidential Staff Office and the Ministry of Public Works are coordinating with state-owned construction firms and private partners. “This coordination meeting resulted in a clear mapping of issues to be addressed through follow-up meetings with ministries, agencies, and local administrations,” Qodari said.

The People’s School Program is designed for the bottom 20 percent of the population, specifically households in deciles 1 and 2. Each school unit will accommodate up to 1,080 students, contributing to the government’s target of building 500 permanent schools by 2029.

The government has also prepared support for teaching and health personnel. A total of 2,304 teachers and 4,760 educational and medical staff have been assigned to ensure the schools operate effectively for underprivileged students. ***