"Yes, we (will) talk about Sekolah Rakyat," Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, told reporters at the palace complex.
At the palace complex, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said that the government will establish people's schools through cross-sector collaboration between ministries, in particular, the Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ministry, Primary and Secondary Education Ministry, and Public Works Ministry.
"We require support from various ministries. This approach reflects our commitment to working hand in hand to translate the President's idea into reality," he said.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno; Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati; Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo; Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian; Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti; and Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto were also seen at the palace.
President Prabowo also requested the presence of the head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti.
Related news: Building, renovating schools to improve education quality
Earlier, Minister Yusuf said that the Ministry of Social Affairs is targeting to transform 100 of its centers and facilities into free schools, which will operate under the Sekolah Rakyat program.
Speaking in Bandung, West Java, on March 7, 2025, he informed that preparations for the program have already begun at over 40 locations.
The following day, the minister, along with his deputy Agus Jabo and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, visited one of the designated facilities, namely the Pangudi Luhur Integrated Center in Bekasi, West Java, according to a statement issued by the ministry here.
The social affairs center has a sports hall, a medical room, classrooms, and training rooms, as well as facilities for persons with disabilities.
Related news: Govt to build free special schools for children facing extreme poverty
Translator: Livia K, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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