Deli Serdang, Sumut (ANTARA) - Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka said on Thursday that students enrolled in Sekolah Rakyat will begin receiving laptops as part of the government’s education initiative starting in September.

“Mr.President has launched Sekolah Rakyat with dormitory facilities. Students receive three meals a day and, starting next month, each will be provided a laptop,” he said during his visit to Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra.

Gibran, who visited a Sekolah Rakyat junior high school with his wife Selvi Ananda, said the initiative is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs and must directly benefit its target recipients.

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“The President’s programs only have meaning if they truly reach the people. That’s the key,” he said during the Mamre Service Assembly of the Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP) at the GBKP Retreat Centre.

He added that Sekolah Rakyat is designed for underprivileged children who often lack access to basic needs like meals or digital learning tools.

Through Sekolah Rakyat, students living in dormitories, away from their parents, will hopefully grow more independent as they expected to take responsibility for daily tasks, he said.

"They live in the dormitory, so naturally, they will become more independent, we are delaying parental dependence. They will wash their own clothes, do their own homework—everything on their own. So, when they graduate, God willing, they will be able to help their families,” Gibran said.

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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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