According to him, Sekolah Rakyat targets students from poor and extremely poor families and is organized differently from regular formal education.
“This model has already proven successful. Children from underprivileged families can attend school for free; some even go on to study abroad or find employment," he said in the ministry's statement here on Friday.
He explained that the Sekolah Rakyat curriculum focuses on entrepreneurship, leadership, spiritual foundation, and nationalism, which model was inspired by the success stories of entrepreneurs who established socially driven schools that educate poor children.
He also stressed the importance of overseeing the strategic and flagship program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto.
“As a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII, I will oversee and monitor the implementation of Sekolah Rakyat in Brebes (Central Java) to ensure it is on target and successful,” he said.
He added that the monitoring step is necessary to ensure the Sekolah Rakyat program does not face the same shortcomings as previous poverty alleviation efforts, which were considered less effective.
He believes that education is the key to breaking the chain of structural poverty, especially in underdeveloped areas like Brebes.
“President Prabowo is very focused on addressing poverty. He realizes that although more than Rp500 trillion (around US$30.5 billion) has been allocated for poverty alleviation, the impact has been minimal, with a reduction of only 0.6 percent,” he said.
Therefore, a more concrete and on-target approach is needed, and Sekolah Rakyat could be one of the answers.
Related news: KSP optimistic of breaking the cycle of poverty with Sekolah Rakyat
Related news: Vice minister clarifies Sekolah Rakyat not military-style education
Related news: Ministry to deploy 4,000 teachers for Sekolah Rakyat
Translator: Tri, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
