RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Social Affairs Minister, Saifullah Yusuf, said 67 of 97 permanent People’s School projects under construction across Indonesia are expected to be completed on schedule for the upcoming academic year. He made the statement during a visit to a school construction site in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

“Alhamdulillah, construction is now underway at 97 locations by the Public Works Ministry. Of those, 67 are expected to be completed on time,” Yusuf said.

He said several remaining sites still face administrative issues that are not yet clear and clean, as well as geographical challenges in certain regions. However, the government plans to use the facilities functionally while completion continues in stages.

The Surabaya campus, located in Kedung Cowek, Bulak District, is being built on a 66,143-square-meter site. Physical progress has reached 56 percent, with around 789 workers involved and final completion targeted for June 20, 2026.

Once finished, the school will be able to accommodate around 1,000 students from elementary to senior high school levels. The complex will include dormitories, a library, laboratories, sports fields, prayer facilities, health rooms, and green open spaces.

In addition, Yusuf said East Java is one of the provinces with the highest number of People’s School developments nationwide. “There are 18 in East Java. This is the largest,” he said, referring to the province’s construction program.

Unlike regular schools, People’s Schools will not open public registration. Instead, the government will directly identify and reach children from the lowest-income households, especially those out of school, at risk of dropping out, or who have never attended school.

Yusuf also pledged a transparent and accountable procurement process for student equipment, including shoes and learning supplies. He called on the public to monitor implementation, saying the schools are meant to provide equal opportunity and a better future for children from families living in extreme poverty.