Ahead of MPLS, Ministry of Social Affairs Finalises Preparations for Sekolah Rakyat Nationwide
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) and Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono led a coordination meeting to prepare Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) for the 2026/2027 academic year at the Ministry of Social Affairs office. The meeting focused on readiness for the simultaneous commencement of the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) on 14 July 2026. Discussions covered five main aspects: readiness of facilities and infrastructure, student preparedness, teacher and education personnel readiness, MPLS implementation, and budget support for the schools’ operation.
Gus Ipul stressed that all working units must ensure every basic need of Sekolah Rakyat is met before MPLS begins. He requested detailed written reports on the progress of school construction, procurement of facilities, distribution of student supplies, and any critical unmet needs. ‘We want to ensure there are no delays. Everything must be mapped out from now, from construction, procurement, distribution of school supplies, to any remaining shortages. If there are potential problems, report them early so we can help resolve them,’ he said in a press statement on Thursday (25/6/2026).
During the meeting, Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Robben Rico, reported that construction of permanent Sekolah Rakyat buildings is ongoing at 93 locations. While no site has reached 100 percent completion, significant progress has been made in several areas, with the highest construction progress recorded in Medan, Surabaya, Gresik, Sampang, and Bengkulu. Anticipating the transition from pioneer schools to permanent buildings, Gus Ipul requested that all ministry centres and halls provide full assistance during the move. ‘Please help with the transition from pioneer to permanent buildings. Report any procurement. Do not build unnecessary things just to chase budget absorption,’ he emphasised.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the Ministry is also finalising the student selection mechanism, particularly for locations where applicants exceed the quota. The selection process will be conducted transparently and involve local governments to ensure that admitted students genuinely come from families with the highest social and economic vulnerability. Gus Ipul noted that the high public interest in Sekolah Rakyat reflects the significant need for educational access among vulnerable groups. Consequently, the government is preparing alternative pathways so that children who are not accommodated can still obtain decent education.
On the human resources front, the Ministry is accelerating the recruitment of teachers, guardians, dormitory supervisors, and education personnel. The placement of staff is targeted for completion before MPLS begins so that all schools are ready to commence teaching and learning activities at the start of the academic year. Regarding MPLS implementation, Gus Ipul instructed all schools to prepare activities that are educational, child-friendly, and free from violence or potentially controversial practices. ‘The purpose of MPLS is to introduce the school environment and build a spirit for learning. There must be no physical violence or burdensome activities. Many students come from vulnerable backgrounds, so the approach must be humane and enjoyable,’ he said.
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono also reported on cross-ministerial coordination with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs. The President has given special attention to character building, discipline, and neatness among Sekolah Rakyat students. As a follow-up, the Ministry of Defence will support the character-building programme by assigning cadets to Sekolah Rakyat. Five cadets will be placed at each school to assist with student discipline development. Approximately 1,000 cadets are scheduled to be deployed starting in early August 2026 and will serve for about one week at the schools. Through these comprehensive preparations, the Ministry of Social Affairs aims to ensure all Sekolah Rakyat are ready to hold MPLS on 14 July 2026 and provide a safe, comfortable, and memorable initial experience for students beginning their educational journey.