"This is a great thing and we need to consistently support it so there are more People's Schools established. Children who had lost hope can be helped by us, so they become truly Indonesian citizens who contribute to their families and society," Aryani said during her visit to People's Middle School 6 at Handayani Center, Jakarta, on Monday.
The entourage Aryani during the visit included Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono, headmaster of People's Middle School 6 Regut Sutrasto, and head of Handayani Center Jakarta Masryani Mansyur.
They observed the school's school laboratory, hall, school health unit, boy's boarding home, and a classroom. Aryani also took time to talk to the students and share snacks and milk.
According to Aryani, People's School is one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship programs to end the chain of poverty.
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The program is aimed at children from underprivileged families listed in the National Socio-Economic Integrated Data (DTSEN). These children have little access to education, despite there being plentiful scholarships, she stated.
"(The children) often think that school is just the stuff of dreams. Mr. President is concerned about this, and established People's School," she pointed out.
On the same occasion, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono said that the People's School is a function of the president's directives to ensure that all children can receive the highest quality education in order to pursue their ambitions.
His administration regularly evaluates the implementation of the program, from its technical aspects, learning process, boarding homes management, to food supply.
Moreover, headmaster of People's Middle School 6, Regut Sutrasto, said that after a month attending the free boarding school, its students have adjusted to the life there, and have displayed more disciplined. They do not miss their parents as much as they used to, Sutrasto pointed out.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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