The idea is not merely to produce graduates, but to prepare young people who can find meaningful work aligned with their abilities and aspirations.
Bondowoso, E Java (ANTARA) - For many people from poor families, pursuing higher education remains a distant and often unattainable dream due to severe financial constraints.

According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia’s gross enrollment ratio for higher education stood at 32 percent in 2024. For 2025, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology aims to raise it to 33.94 percent.

While higher education continues to be a luxury for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, various government programs in the education sector have opened opportunities for them to pursue a degree and secure a better future.

One such program is the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP) College scholarship, which has benefited millions of students to date.

Now, the government has launched a tuition-free education program called Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School), targeting children from low-income families. The program covers all levels of primary and secondary education—from elementary to senior high school.

Carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Sekolah Rakyat forms part of the government’s integrated poverty alleviation initiative, which also includes several other priority programs such as Free Health Screening (CKG), Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), Red and White Village Cooperatives, and the Three-Million-House Development Program.

Although the program is relatively new and not yet implemented in all regions, Sekolah Rakyat has brought good news and hope for its students’ future.

According to Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, a number of Sekolah Rakyat students have been guaranteed both employment and higher education scholarships. The government will facilitate job placements once they graduate.

One such scholarship is provided by a private university in Jakarta, which plans to admit 35 Sekolah Rakyat graduates for its 2027 intake. Of these, seven students are also guaranteed employment upon completing their university studies.



Downstream education

The certainty of job opportunities for Sekolah Rakyat graduates reflects the “downstream education” concept promoted by the People’s School program — an approach that ensures every student’s journey continues beyond the classroom.

The idea is not merely to produce graduates, but to prepare young people who can find meaningful work aligned with their abilities and aspirations.

This principle stems from the core philosophy of the People's School program, the brainchild of President Prabowo Subianto, which stands on three pillars: honoring the common people (wong cilik), reaching the unreached, and making possible the previously impossible.

Sekolah Rakyat is among the priority programs of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, designed to help children from lower-income families continue their education and ultimately break the cycle of poverty.

The schools, which adopt a boarding-school model, provide free facilities and school supplies to students. Currently, 165 Sekolah Rakyat schools operate across the country, and the number is expected to grow.

By spending more time in school and progressing to higher education, these children gain a better chance of escaping poverty and improving their families’ livelihoods and well-being.

Students receive comprehensive development through 24-hour care provided at the boarding schools, allowing them to be guided intensively—not only in formal academic lessons but also in building mental resilience and social capacity for a better future.

In addition to proper facilities, the government provides competent teachers who undergo a strict selection process. With this combination of quality infrastructure and dedicated, high-caliber educators, Sekolah Rakyat graduates are expected to reach above-average standards.



Confidently face the future

Sekolah Rakyat students are also encouraged to explore and develop their talents, enabling them to become well-rounded individuals who can confidently face the future and its challenges.

While the program’s main goal is to break the cycle of poverty, its facilitation for students to pursue higher education is not merely about helping them find employment. University graduates are expected to uphold higher standards of competence and character than those with lower educational attainment.

Higher education is not only about obtaining a diploma or degree—it prepares students to engage meaningfully with society.

Beyond gaining knowledge and perspective, university life offers crucial opportunities to expand professional networks, which can open new avenues to maximize their potential for the greater good.

Higher education also helps individuals develop leadership skills, enabling them to become future leaders in society, whether through political engagement or professional public service.

For Sekolah Rakyat students with entrepreneurial aspirations, university study provides a platform to enhance business acumen, broaden networks, and deepen their understanding of business theories.

Sekolah Rakyat, alongside STEM-focused Garuda School and other government education initiatives, fuels optimism for equitable access to higher education for all, paving the way toward a better future.

This community-centered education program serves as a vital pillar in preparing an excellent generation for Indonesia’s Golden 2045 Vision.

Ultimately, Sekolah Rakyat graduates will form a new, mutually reinforcing link in Indonesia’s collective and sustainable journey toward becoming a developed and prosperous nation.



Related news: Sekolah Rakyat students can work abroad : Deputy Minister

Related news: Minister urges Sekolah Rakyat teachers to prioritize compassion

Related news: Gov't committed to serve vulnerable group through Sekolah Rakyat

Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025