Purwagandhi made the announcement after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf to strengthen cooperation between the two ministries in social and transportation programs at the Social Welfare Education and Training Center (BBPPKS) in Yogyakarta.
“We will provide educators who can be assigned by the Ministry of Social Affairs to support Sekolah Rakyat activities,” Purwagandhi told reporters after the signing ceremony.
He said the partnership would not only include providing school buses and other transport facilities but also extend to collaboration in education and community development.
The Transportation Ministry currently manages 22 schools nationwide that can be utilized to assist social and educational initiatives, including Sekolah Rakyat.
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“We hope to empower these institutions for the benefit of Sekolah Rakyat and the Ministry of Social Affairs’ broader community programs,” Purwagandhi said.
Social Affairs Minister Yusuf welcomed the collaboration, saying it would create new opportunities for Sekolah Rakyat graduates to pursue further education or careers that match their interests and skills.
“For those who wish to continue studies in fields related to the Transportation Ministry, we will provide guidance and mentoring,” Yusuf said.
He added that starting in 2028, Sekolah Rakyat graduates will be directed either to higher education or directly into the workforce based on aptitude assessments.
Yusuf said the government also plans to introduce DNA-based talent tests to better map students’ strengths and career paths.
As of 2025, 166 Sekolah Rakyat are operating across Indonesia with nearly 16,000 students. The ministry targets enrollment to reach 46,000 in 2026, surpass 100,000 in 2027, and exceed 200,000 in 2028.
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Translator: Luqman Hakim, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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