Speaking in Bandung, West Java, on Saturday, Idit Supriadi Priatna, secretary of the ministry’s Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation, said the program is aimed at children from severely underprivileged backgrounds, including school dropouts.
"Our priority is to reach children from extremely poor families. This also includes school dropouts who are often found on the streets," he said.
Priatna noted that the ministry is working with local social affairs offices to identify prospective students through direct outreach, ensuring the program reaches only those who qualify.
Teams have been deployed to conduct door-to-door visits and assess eligibility based on data from the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) system.
The government plans to launch teaching and learning activities at around 100 Sekolah Rakyat sites on July 14, offering classes at the elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels.
Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) follows a boarding school model, providing free education, accommodation, and basic necessities to ensure equitable access to quality education for underprivileged children.
Unlike conventional schools, Sekolah Rakyat offers a flexible, personalized learning system with a multi-entry, multi-exit approach, allowing students to begin or complete their studies outside the standard academic calendar.
Under the program, the Ministry of Social Affairs oversees character education, the Ministry of Education handles academic instruction, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for religious studies.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti has said the program will prioritize hiring government-employed teachers with formal pedagogical qualifications.
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Translator: Ricky P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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