Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the collaboration aims to provide inclusive and sustainable learning facilities for children in Sekolah Rakyat.
"We, together with the National Library, will provide a modern library supported by advanced technology and infrastructure," he stated.
Under the plan, the ministry will develop physical facilities and infrastructure, while the National Library will manage book provision and implement a digital-based governance system to make the libraries accessible to local communities.
Yusuf expressed hope that each library would serve as a learning center and promote a reading culture among families benefiting from social programs.
"In the future, each Sekolah Rakyat will have a library backed by the National Library. We will start at several locations first and continue in the following years," he said.
Sekolah Rakyat, or People’s School, is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programs to provide free, quality education for children from low-income families.
The Ministry of Social Affairs is equipping all Sekolah Rakyat with technological facilities, including interactive digital boards and internet-connected laptops.
According to ministry data, 166 pilot Sekolah Rakyat will be built this year, serving nearly 16,000 students with the support of 2,400 teachers and more than 4,000 educational staff at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
As of July, 100 pilot schools have begun operations, serving 9,755 students with support from 1,554 teachers, educational staff, and dormitory guardians.
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Translator: M Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Cindy Frishanti Octav
Editor: Anton Santoso
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