“Since these schools are intended for noble purposes, it is important to ensure they do not become exclusive or compete with existing schools but rather complement them,” she remarked at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Maharani made the statement in response to the launch of school orientations at 63 Sekolah Rakyat sites across Indonesia on Monday (July 14).
Maharani emphasized the need for the government to consistently monitor the program’s implementation, pursue continuous improvements, and address related issues.
Despite challenges during the preparation and rollout of Sekolah Rakyat, Maharani commended the program as an innovative solution to ensure equal access to quality education for all Indonesian children.
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“We, at the DPR, will supervise the program to ensure that no Indonesian child is left without access to proper education,” she stated.
The lawmaker remarked that the parliament is eager to collaborate with the government to help the program succeed in building a better future.
“Imperfections during the initial phase are only natural. I hope the government and DPR will continue working together to improve the program so it meets the educational needs of all children,” she remarked.
Earlier on Monday, the government launched school orientations for Sekolah Rakyat students at 63 locations nationwide, with 37 more to follow later this month. This supports the goal of launching 100 Sekolah Rakyat sites for the 2025–2026 academic year.
President Prabowo Subianto initiated the Sekolah Rakyat program specifically for children from families classified as poor or extremely poor based on the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTSEN) system.
By adopting a boarding school concept, Sekolah Rakyat is expected to support the government’s poverty alleviation efforts through education.
Under the program, the government provides free, quality formal, character, and religious education to children at the elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels.
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Translator: Melalusa S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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