Speaking at a national briefing for Sekolah Rakyat teachers and principals on Friday, Prabowo said the program is part of the government's broader strategy to break the cycle of poverty through investment in future generations.
"Sekolah Rakyat prepares young people to help their families escape poverty. Education is the path to ensure all Indonesians benefit from the nation’s wealth," Prabowo said at the JIExpo Kemayoran.
On that occasion, he reminded teachers and school principals that they have key roles in preparing children to bring their families out of various limitations.
This, according to him, aligns with the ideals of the nation's founders, who also wanted true independence not to be limited to being free from colonizers but also from poverty, hunger, and suffering.
Related news: Prabowo urges Sekolah Rakyat teachers to help break chain of poverty
He underlined that education is the main way to ensure all Indonesians can feel the benefits of the nation's wealth.
The president emphasized that the government has worked hard to realize the Sekolah Rakyat program in a short time, with 100 Sekolah Rakyat operating so far.
"In September, there will be an additional 65 schools. Next year, God willing, there will be 200 schools," he added.
At Friday's event, President Prabowo also entrusted a special message to teachers and school principals to carry out the noble task of supporting poverty elimination in the country.
Sekolah Rakyat is part of the government's efforts to break the cycle of poverty in Indonesia, in line with Presidential Instruction Number 8 of 2025 on the Optimization of Poverty Alleviation and Extreme Poverty Eradication.
The program is targeted at children from poor and extremely poor families, in accordance with the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTSEN).
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that the poverty rate in March 2025 stood at 8.47 percent or 23.85 million people, reflecting the lowest rate recorded in the last two decades.
Meanwhile, the number of people living in extreme poverty in Indonesia has declined to 2.38 million as of March 2025, marking a decline of 1.18 million compared to March 2024.
Related news: 165 Sekolah Rakyat operational in September: President
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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