93 Permanent 'Sekolah Rakyat' Opened, Offering New Hope for Underprivileged Children

President Prabowo Subianto announced the government will open 93 permanent Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools), bringing the total number of such institutions to 182 when combined with existing pilot schools. The announcement was made during his state address at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta.

“All regencies will have one Sekolah Rakyat,” the President stated. He highlighted that these schools represent a renewed opportunity for children from underprivileged families who had previously been forced to abandon their education to survive. He shared the story of Muhammad Rizki Pratama, a 12-year-old student who once peddled goods by bicycle for tens of kilometres and sold fish weighing up to 30 kilogrammes. Before entering a Sekolah Rakyat, Rizki had dropped out of school and was not yet fluent in reading or arithmetic. “Today, Rizki is back in school. He has regained his right to learn and to nurture his dreams,” Prabowo said, adding that no investment is more valuable than restoring a child’s future.

The President also recounted the story of Citra Nur Ramadhani from Pangkajene Regency, South Sulawesi, who nearly dropped out in the fourth grade to help her disabled mother sell nuts after her father passed away. The Sekolah Rakyat allowed her to continue her studies without abandoning her family, and she went on to become a district-level karate champion. Prabowo asserted that this achievement proves that students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds can reach the highest levels of success if given the opportunity, facilities, and guidance. He concluded with a message to the students, assuring them that the government is present to ensure they have a future and a fair chance, vowing that no Indonesian child will be left behind.