270 students at Jepara's Sekolah Rakyat begin school orientation

A total of 270 primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary students at the Sekolah Rakyat Terpadu in Jepara Regency, Central Java, began their School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) on Thursday at the new building in Suwawal Timur Village, Pakisaji District, Jepara. The MPLS activities were opened by Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) H. Abdul Wachid and were centred at the Sekolah Rakyat Terpadu (SRT) Jepara complex in Suwawal Timur Village, Pakisaji District.

Abdul Wachid said Sekolah Rakyat is intended for children from poor and extremely poor families, particularly those in the Desil 1 and Desil 2 categories. According to him, education is one of the keys to enabling children from underprivileged families to improve their standard of living and elevate their family’s standing.

“President Prabowo has also expressed that optimism. By the end of the year we will see that these children will certainly achieve good results because we are supporting them with very complete facilities. From learning spaces, laptops and iPads, to sports facilities, all are provided by the state. This will produce truly quality education,” he said.

He expressed hope that these children will lift their parents out of poverty in the future. Throughout 2025, there are 166 pilot Sekolah Rakyat schools spread across 34 provinces and 131 regencies/cities. The programme has accommodated 15,954 students, consisting of 3,025 primary school students, 6,134 junior secondary students, and 6,765 senior secondary students. Of the 11 permanent Sekolah Rakyat schools in Central Java, only Jepara is claimed to be the most complete.

Meanwhile, Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare of the Jepara Regional Secretariat Diyar Susanto expressed support for various education-related programmes rolled out by the central government, from Sekolah Rakyat and Sekolah Nasional Terpadu to the revitalisation of educational facilities. In addition, the Jepara Regency Government has also launched education-focused programmes, including the Kartu Sarjana Jepara.

Natasya Salsatun Putri (7), one of the students participating in MPLS, said she was happy because her new school is spacious and the building has multiple storeys. The 270 new students comprise 90 primary school students, 90 junior secondary students, and 90 senior secondary students.