Ahead of New Student Admissions for People's Schools, Social Minister Warns Against Nepotism

Ahead of the new student intake process for People’s Schools, Indonesia’s Social Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) has emphasised several crucial matters. These directives are aimed at school principals, teachers, and guardians across all People’s Schools in Indonesia to ensure the implementation is on target and free from violations.

On this occasion, Gus Ipul stressed that the student selection process does not involve registrations but rather outreach based on data.

“People’s Schools do not open registrations. Instead, People’s Schools conduct outreach based on DTSEN (National Single Social and Economic Welfare Data),” Gus Ipul asserted in a written statement on Wednesday (15 April 2026).

Gus Ipul reminded that there must be no practices of nepotism or interference in the selection process.

“No need for nepotism, no need to push names forward, no KKN among us. The Social Minister cannot nepotise, nor can the Regent, the Sub-district Head, or the Village Head,” said Gus Ipul.

According to Gus Ipul, the selection process must prioritise principles of prudence and be based on official data to ensure it targets those who need it most.

“The main principle is that those who need it most must be prioritised,” said Gus Ipul.

Gus Ipul also warned that recruitment is the most crucial point in the success of People’s Schools.

Gus Ipul cautioned against potential deviations such as data manipulation and external interference.

“I repeat, be wary of nepotism, external interference, and data manipulation. Please, everyone help guard against this,” Gus Ipul stressed.

In addition to recruitment aspects, Gus Ipul highlighted the importance of creating a safe school environment free from violence.

Gus Ipul affirmed that strict sanctions will be imposed on violators.

“Anyone who commits physical or sexual violence in the People’s Schools environment, we will take firm action. There may be no more warnings; we will dismiss them directly,” said Gus Ipul.

Gus Ipul also emphasised the importance of maintaining a peaceful and inclusive educational environment.

“There must be no acts of intolerance. Peaceful is our choice for conducting peaceful education amid differences,” said Gus Ipul.

In the context of student development, Gus Ipul called for active roles from guardians and educators to provide intensive mentoring, including early detection of potential behavioural issues.

“There needs to be early detection of deviant behaviour in prospective students during the outreach process. If there are indeed strange things, we will rehabilitate them,” said Gus Ipul.

Gus Ipul also affirmed discipline rules for the use of learning devices in the school environment.

“Laptops must not be taken outside the classroom. For any reason, it is prohibited,” Gus Ipul stressed.

Furthermore, Gus Ipul urged all educators to actively socialise the People’s Schools mechanism to the public with good communication.

“I apologise, we do not accept registrations, but insha’Allah, this mother’s data will be forwarded to DTSEN. We cannot promise anything,” said Gus Ipul.

Gus Ipul emphasised the importance of discipline and integrity among all parties involved in organising People’s Schools.

“Let us show that all stakeholders are truly disciplined, upright towards the rules, and work wholeheartedly,” said Gus Ipul.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the People’s Schools Formation Team, Prof Mohammad Nuh, emphasised that the essence of this programme is to provide educational access to the most vulnerable communities.

“The true nature of People’s Schools is most importantly accessibility for the poor, for communities in decile 1 and decile 2,” said Prof Nuh.

Prof Nuh also opened opportunities for proposals based on field findings to complement official data.

“If you can see directly and according to the criteria, this person is eligible, then it can also be proposed through the team,” said Prof Nuh.

In addition, the Minister’s Expert Andi highlighted readiness for the transition from pilot schools to permanent schools, which is the focus this year.

“The target for building phase two permanent PS at 100 locations is expected to be completed by 20 June 2026, so by early July we can move to permanent schools,” said Andi.

Andi assured that various scenarios have been prepared to ensure the continuity of the learning process, including for schools that do not yet have permanent facilities.