“Those who wish to pursue higher education will be granted full scholarships. Those who want to become skilled workers, including working abroad, will be guided by the government,” Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said here on Thursday.
Minister Yusuf said the government wants Sekolah Rakyat graduates to become agents of change for their families and surrounding communities.
The Sekolah Rakyat program is a government’s strategic policy to accelerate poverty alleviation through affirmative-based education.
Sekolah Rakyat schools are designed to reach extremely poor groups that have not been optimally served by the education system.
The minister noted that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the provision of full scholarships for Sekolah Rakyat graduates has been finalized, allowing them to continue to university without financial constraints.
“The scheme is ready, the MoU is ready. All Sekolah Rakyat graduates, after completing their studies, can become agents of change for their families and communities,” Yusuf said.
Furthermore, the minister expressed hope that all regions across Indonesia, will have at least one permanent Sekolah Rakyat building capable of accommodating one thousand students.
Sekolah Rakyat students live in dormitories, receive school uniforms, three meals a day, two light snacks daily, and learning based on a Learning Management System (LMS).
They are also provided with laptops, teachers use laptops in teaching instruction, and digital whiteboards are utilized.
“This is the state’s attention for children from the most underprivileged families. It is aimed at accelerating their education so they can catch up after years of lagging behind. Others should not be envious because this is specifically intended for them,” Yusuf said.
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Translator: Sugiharto, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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