"We have two locations in Magelang, one is in Antasena and the other is in Tegalrejo, and the assets belong to the district government," Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono noted in a statement here on Monday.
He explained that the Sekolah Rakyat program was established to facilitate students from families categorized as poor or extremely poor based on the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN).
The Sekolah Rakyat schools will adopt a boarding school concept for elementary, junior high, and high school levels.
Deputy Minister Priyono emphasized that all needs of students at Sekolah Rakyat, both for learning and other requirements, such as food, will be borne by the government.
"All needs, both for learning and life needs, are guaranteed by the state," he affirmed.
He clarified that the Sekolah Rakyat program is separate from the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
"The Sekolah Rakyat is its own program. The president instructed that the schools are specifically to accommodate the poor and the extremely poor, so they can go to school without being constrained by economic problems. All children in Indonesia must go to school regardless of being rich or poor," he emphasized.
Based on the latest data, more than 300 locations have been proposed for the Sekolah Rakyat program. The Ministry of Social Affairs in collaboration with several related ministries and agencies continue to conduct verification for these locations.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated that the government has targeted to open 80 to 100 Sekolah Rakyat schools this year.
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Translator: Prisca, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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