The announcement came during a visit with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to a Sekolah Rakyat high school in Jakarta on Saturday, where the two reviewed facilities and operations.
"There will be 9,700 laptops distributed in the first phase," Yusuf said, adding that the rollout is expected in late August or early September.
He stressed that procurement will be conducted transparently and in line with regulations to prevent irregularities. Each student will receive a laptop for learning.
During the visit, the ministers inspected facilities including dormitories and sports areas. Indrawati spoke with several students about their routines, comparing them with their lives before joining the school.
Sekolah Rakyat (The People's School), initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, aims to help children from poor and vulnerable families and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. The state budget has been used to provide facilities such as electricity, water, dormitories, and learning equipment, including laptops.
So far, Rp7 trillion (US$430.7 million) has been allocated for the program, with contributions from the Ministry of Social Affairs and other ministries. This year, Rp1.1 trillion has been earmarked for laptops and uniforms for over 15,000 students at 159 schools.
"Next year, 200 schools are ready. We have started budgeting. The President will announce the 2026 state budget on August 15, to be discussed with the House of Representatives (DPR)," Indrawati said.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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