"Many students require more time to adapt, so we extended the MPLS as a humane approach," Saifullah, better known as Gus Ipul, stated during a visit to review SR's implementation at Surabaya State University in East Java on Tuesday (July 22).
Gus Ipul stated that the SR program, which began on July 14, has generally proceeded as planned. However, he acknowledged that several areas still need improvement, especially in supporting facilities and infrastructure.
"I have seen that everything is running quite well overall. However, there are still things that need some improvement, and we must address those," he emphasized.
The Ministry of Social Affairs is currently working to fulfill staffing needs, including dormitory guardians, foster carers, cleaning staff, and security personnel. At the same time, essential infrastructure, such as clean water and electricity, is being continuously improved.
"We have enough teachers and principals, but we still need more supporting educational staff, such as foster carers. For instance, of the nine foster carers we need, only six are currently available. We will address this by utilizing the ministry's human resources and collaborating with the local government," Gus Ipul remarked.
Although not yet perfect, he noted that students already feel at home and are starting to enjoy the learning process. When asked if they wished to withdraw, none of the SR students at Unesa expressed such a desire.
"They said the food is delicious, the teachers and principal are kind, and the environment is comfortable. That means we are on the right track," he stated.
Gus Ipul emphasized that the ministry is focused not only on increasing the quantity of services but also their quality. He affirmed that this reflects the ministry's commitment to providing equal opportunities for all children of the nation to thrive.
Unlike public schools, the MPLS at SR does not involve academic tests, but instead offers talent mapping and a matriculation program as the initial stage of learning.
The ministry aims to operate 100 SRs nationwide by the end of July 2025, and in East Java alone, the number of SRs is expected to increase to 19 institutions by the 2025/2026 academic year.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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