“This program will be partly funded by the state budget, for sure. However, participation from the public and business sector will be of great help,” she added upon arriving at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
She said that President Prabowo Subianto summoned her to the palace to discuss the education initiative and her recent visit to Washington, D.C., where she took part in tariff negotiations.
The minister, who formerly served as managing director of the World Bank, emphasized that collaboration is essential to achieve the Sekolah Rakyat program’s goal of inclusive and equitable education nationwide.
On the same occasion, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf informed that nearly 300 regions at the provincial, district, and municipal levels have proposed locations for developing schools under the program.
He said that the authority to determine the feasibility of potential locations lies with the Ministry of Public Works, adding that the number of approved locations could increase from 53 to 100.
“The count may increase to 70, 80, or even 100, depending on the ministry’s findings in the next two weeks,” he disclosed, adding that the revised number would be reported to President Prabowo.
According to the plan, the government will launch the program this year, with 53 sites already declared ready to host the schools, which will primarily serve children from economically disadvantaged families.
The designated sites include assets owned by the Social Affairs Ministry and regional governments at various administrative levels.
Each school is expected to be built on a minimum of eight hectares of land and accommodate up to one thousand students across elementary, junior high, and senior high levels.
Teacher recruitment has already begun, with the government prioritizing civil servant educators.
Meanwhile, a team led by Mohammad Nuh, who served as the minister of education and culture from 2009 to 2014, is finalizing the curriculum to be used in the new schools.
Related news: Sekolah Rakyat prioritized for poverty pockets: Minister
Related news: Public Works Ministry pledges infra support for Sekolah Rakyat
Translator: Andi F/Fathur R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
