He made the statement during the inauguration of Sekolah Rakyat in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Monday, which was attended by President Prabowo Subianto.
Yusuf explained that students’ health conditions have improved markedly, as reflected in gains in body weight and height, better physical fitness, and a decline in anemia rates.
“In fact, many school uniforms no longer fit after just three months,” he said.
According to Yusuf, these physical improvements have directly contributed to the learning process, with students becoming more focused, less drowsy during lessons, and showing greater discipline and independence in their daily routines.
The Ministry of Social Affairs also noted that the sense of care and security provided through Sekolah Rakyat plays a key role in shaping students’ mental well-being and positive behavior, with some students even demonstrating notable achievements.
Beyond health and behavior, the program has also produced significant progress in basic academic skills, particularly reading and writing.
Yusuf cited the case of Muhammad Nazril Kurniawan, a Grade 10 student at Sekolah Rakyat Senior High School 13 in Bekasi City, West Java, who previously struggled with reading despite being at the secondary level.
Through perseverance and intensive guidance from teachers, Kurniawan is now able to read more fluently, has shown academic progress, and has become more optimistic about his future.
Sekolah Rakyat is a government priority program that provides free, quality education for children from poor families in the lowest welfare groups listed in the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data.
As of 2025, a total of 166 pilot Sekolah Rakyat schools have been established nationwide, with capacity for nearly 16,000 students, supported by around 2,400 teachers and more than 4,000 education personnel.
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Translator: Prasetyo, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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