"The goal is to at least break the cycle of poverty by providing an opportunity to children to pursue education," he said in Malang, East Java, on Friday.
He explained that the Sekolah Rakyat program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto gives an opportunity to every child from underprivileged families to improve their abilities and capacities.
That way, he continued, the program helps prepare its beneficiaries to enter the world of work or pursue higher education.
Putranto also noted that the creation of the Sekolah Rakyat program was based on the ideals of President Prabowo Subianto, who wishes to see all Indonesian children have a decent life and be involved in national development.
"The President wants children to thrive, more prepared to face the future .". He has determined that education and health are the main priorities," he remarked.
On Friday, Putranto monitored the preparation of Sekolah Rakyat's implementation in Malang City. He paid a visit to the Malang City Polytechnic building, the designated site for the Sekolah Rakyat program, a boarding school concept.
The building will serve not only as a venue for learning activities but also as a dormitory for the students.
Earlier, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education stated that it is ready to provide around four thousand candidates as prospective teachers who will teach across 100 schools for Sekolah Rakyat this year.
Sekolah Rakyat is scheduled to begin operations in July 2025. The Ministry of Social Affairs is targeting the opening of 100 Sekolah Rakyat schools across Indonesia this year.
Students eligible to enroll in the tuition-free schools are those coming from poor and extremely poor families.
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Translator: Ananto Pradana, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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