“This program is designed to provide access to quality education for children from underprivileged families, while also fostering character development and self-reliance,” he said during a working visit to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Wednesday.
He explained that the program targets children from beneficiary families in the first and second deciles, or the two poorest groups in the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN).
In addition to education, students receive complementary support including food, home repairs, state health insurer BPJS Kesehatan membership, village cooperatives, and free health checkups.
“The President has set a target to establish 500 Sekolah Rakyat nationwide, each accommodating up to 1,000 students. In Pontianak, this marks the 53rd school, and 100 permanent school buildings will be constructed this year (nationwide), including in West Kalimantan,” he noted.
Minister Yusuf expressed hope that the program will not only break the cycle of poverty but also produce a generation that is healthy, resilient, and ready for Golden Indonesia 2045.
Meanwhile, West Kalimantan Provincial Secretary Harisson emphasized the importance of social pillars in building community resilience and strengthening the social protection system.
He said some 79 students are currently enrolled in the province’s Sekolah Rakyat: 21 in primary school, 18 in junior high school, and 38 in high school. Students receive full support including boarding, uniforms, health checkups, discipline training, learning tools, and laptops.
On a separate occasion, West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan welcomed the ministry’s attention, stressing that intersectoral collaboration is key to sustainable poverty reduction.
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Translator: Rendra, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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