“Both parents and the state are responsible for providing education to school-age children. Sekolah Rakyat is present to give children from the most disadvantaged or extremely poor families opportunities to access quality education,” he remarked.
Speaking to the press during a visit to Sigi District, Central Sulawesi, on Monday (April 20), Yusuf stressed that the national priority program is primarily intended to serve economically disadvantaged citizens.
On admission procedures, he explained that the Social Affairs Ministry collaborates with Statistics Indonesia (BPS) and regional governments to visit and verify families categorized as poor or extremely poor in the National Single Socioeconomic Data (DTSEN).
He added that the ministry would process enrollment once parents and children are declared eligible for the program.
The minister went on to say that Sekolah Rakyat is part of the broader efforts to promote 13 years of mandatory learning for all children nationwide while balancing accessibility and quality.
In addition to free education, he continued, Sekolah Rakyat students are also provided with dormitories and essential school supplies, including laptops.
"It should be noted that the Sekolah Rakyat program is designed to make education accessible for children from poor and extremely poor families registered in the DTSEN," Yusuf reaffirmed.
Earlier, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo emphasized that the government aims to finish phase II development of Sekolah Rakyat at 97 sites across Indonesia by June 2026.
"As the program has entered a crucial stage, it is vital that we all work hand in hand to pursue timely completion," the minister remarked at his office in Jakarta on Friday (April 17).
Phase II primarily involves constructing permanent Sekolah Rakyat buildings, following the program’s implementation at existing government facilities designated as temporary school sites since last year.
"As of April 14, only about 20 percent of development sites have reached 30–40 percent progress," Hanggodo said, noting that 70 projects remain below 30 percent, while four have yet to begin construction.
To reverse the unfavorable trend, he said the Ministry of Public Works would ramp up efforts from its units, particularly those overseeing strategic infrastructure, settlements, and highways.
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Translator: Moh Salem, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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