Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday that the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) to strengthen vocational education and pre-employment training.
“We want to ensure that Sekolah Rakyat students receive not only formal education but also job skills. For those who wish to work overseas, additional training will be provided, particularly in language proficiency and technical expertise,” Minister Yusuf said.
According to him, there are currently 166 People’s Schools operating across various regions, covering elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels. Around 6,700 students are currently enrolled in high school-level programs, with the first cohort expected to graduate in 2028.
After graduation, students will be guided according to their interests and abilities.
“For those who plan to continue to university, we will assist them until they enroll in higher education. Meanwhile, those who wish to work will be supported through enhanced vocational education,” he explained.
The Ministry of Social Affairs will also collaborate with P2MI to integrate special learning modules on migrant worker readiness into the People’s School curriculum.
Minister Yusuf expressed hope that this program will help students understand both the opportunities and challenges of working abroad safely and legally.
The collaboration also aims to identify students interested in overseas employment so they can be directed toward suitable educational pathways and internationally recognized certifications.
“With P2MI’s training and placement roadmap, we can prepare students from an early age to become skilled and competent workers who are competitive in the international job market,” Yusuf said.
The People’s School program is one of President Prabowo’s flagship initiatives to provide quality education for children from underprivileged families listed in the National Socio-Economic Integrated Database (DTSEN).
The initiative integrates several of the government’s poverty alleviation programs, including the Free Health Checkup (CKG), Free Nutritious Meal (MBG), universal healthcare, the Red and White Cooperative, and the construction of three million housing units.
To improve learning quality, the Ministry of Social Affairs plans to equip the schools with modern facilities such as interactive screens, high-speed internet access, laptops, and standardized uniforms for teachers and educators.
Related news: Govt seeks to introduce migrant worker topics in free school program
Related news: Sekolah Rakyat students can work abroad : Deputy Minister
Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
