However, he acknowledged that the absorption has not been significant since the school program was only launched on July 14, 2025.
"This year's budget for Sekolah Rakyat stands at Rp1.1 trillion for 159 schools," he told the press on Tuesday (July 29).
Sekolah Rakyat is a boarding school program covering elementary, junior high, and senior high levels, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto to address the educational needs of children from poor and extremely poor families.
The construction and operation of Sekolah Rakyat are handled by several relevant ministries and agencies, led by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
For the first phase, the Ministry of Social Affairs targeted 100 Sekolah Rakyat to be operational by the end of July in various regions: 48 in Java, 22 in Sumatra, 15 in Sulawesi, four each in Kalimantan and Maluku Islands, three in Papua, two in West Nusa Tenggara, and one each in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara.
This target was later increased to 159 schools with a capacity exceeding 15 thousand students.
President Prabowo also aims to have 200 Sekolah Rakyat operational across Indonesia by the end of this year.
"Most importantly, this depends on the readiness of facilities and infrastructure. God willing, the 159 locations will be able to accommodate more than 15 thousand students," the minister stated.
Minister Yusuf did not provide further details about the budget realization.
On the same occasion, he also conveyed President Prabowo's directive regarding the management of state funds for Sekolah Rakyat.
"We are currently monitoring the implementation, starting with the procurement of goods, which must comply with regulations. The president said that the entire management of Sekolah Rakyat must comply with regulations and give no room for deviations," he emphasized.
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Translator: Genta Tenri/Mentari Dwi, Resinta S
Editor: Primayanti
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