A Year of Sekolah Rakyat: Transforming Students to Be Confident and Master Four Languages

They were once just figures in poverty data—children who had nearly lost their dreams due to economic hardship. Now, they stand on stage, singing, dancing, and delivering speeches in four languages with confidence. This is the story of one year of the Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi 64 Soppeng, tangible proof that the state’s presence can change the life paths of the younger generation. Wardah still vividly remembers the day a social programme officer knocked on her door. She was initially startled and anxious, wondering what had happened. However, upon hearing the purpose of the visit, her heart trembled. Her child was deemed eligible for a place at Sekolah Rakyat, a free government education programme she had only ever heard about from others. “I immediately said, I want to,” recalled Wardah, mother of Muhammad Nur Ibnu, her eyes sparkling. The decision was not easy. Her child was hesitant, reluctant to leave home at such a young age. But Wardah continued to gently persuade him. “Perhaps this is better, son. This could help us all later until we succeed,” she said reassuringly. A year later, her decision proved to be the right one. “The change in my child at this Sekolah Rakyat, well, when told to wake up, he just gets up, he says. Not like before. Then his way of praying, there’s been a little change. What’s strange to me is that the changes have been many,” Wardah said, smiling as she recounted her son’s transformation. A similar story came from Muhammad Ramli, parent of Nur Aini and Rekmin Ahmad Bedar. “I am grateful to SR Sekolah Rakyat, because there has been a change in my children. Alhamdulillah, they help their parents. Especially at home, their prayers are diligent. Everything has changed,” he said, full of emotion. “Since they started school at SR Sekolah Rakyat, they are diligent in praying, diligent in cleaning, diligent in everything,” he added. These stories were revealed during the Open House for One Year of Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi (SRT) 64 Soppeng, held at the temporary campus of the former Ajjappange Hospital on Jalan Samudra No. 4, Lemba Village, Lalabata District, Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi, on Friday (16/6). The event, attended by Soppeng Regent H. Suwardi Haseng, Deputy Regent Selle KS Dalle, elements of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, and heads of regional agencies and sub-district heads throughout Soppeng Regency, was a moment to showcase the national programme’s achievements to the public. On a simple stage, the students demonstrated their skills. There were energetic traditional dances, melodious choirs, and speeches in four languages that amazed the guests. One of the most touching performances was an inspirational story from Muh. Ikram, a student who loudly recounted his life journey before and after joining Sekolah Rakyat. The Head of SRT 64 Soppeng, Arni Erjilla, explained in her speech that the school currently oversees two levels of education: Sekolah Rakyat Dasar (SRD) and Sekolah Rakyat Menengah (SRMB). With a total of 100 students and supported by 60 teaching and education staff, SRT 64 Soppeng is one of nine regencies/cities in South Sulawesi selected as an initial phase implementer of this programme. “Sekolah Rakyat does not only focus on academic education but also builds character, skills, and student potential through various extracurricular activities so they can compete and grow into a generation that is intelligent, independent, and has character,” Arni said enthusiastically. She emphasised that the presence of Sekolah Rakyat is a tangible form of the government’s attention in providing proper access to education for children from underprivileged families. The programme is specifically for children from Desil 1 and Desil 2 families, the community groups with the lowest welfare levels. “We want to ensure that every child has the same opportunity to achieve a better future. Sekolah Rakyat is here to reach the unreachable and make the impossible possible,” she asserted. The student admission process is carried out through a direct outreach system by social assistants, Family Hope Programme assistants, District Social Welfare Workers, and social rehabilitation workers who visit target families. This special team goes door-to-door to provide information and obtain parental consent. For children who previously struggled to meet daily basic needs, entering Sekolah Rakyat is like entering a new world. All their basic needs are now guaranteed by the state, including nutritious meals three times a day, snacks twice a day, regular milk, uniforms, shoes, books, stationery, dormitory accommodation, and laptops under a one-student-one-laptop scheme. Good news from the national scale has also strengthened this optimism. The Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), during a working visit to Makassar some time ago, confirmed the success of the Sekolah Rakyat programme’s adaptation phase after more than nine months of operation. He stated that no students or teachers have withdrawn, a significant achievement considering the critical first two months were full of adaptation processes. “This has been running for almost a year. I saw firsthand that they are now more confident, have specific interests in certain fields, and possess a strong determination for the future,” Gus Ipul said after directly inspecting the dormitory. He also praised the education system applied, which combines an academic curriculum based on a Learning Management System in the morning with intensive character education in the afternoon and evening by caregivers. According to him, the formation of discipline, independence, and spiritual closeness is the foundation.