At SKB, Out-of-School Children Find a Space to Reclaim Hope
Hope for returning to education is growing at the Sentra Dharma Guna Bengkulu Learning Activity Centre (SKB). For children who were previously out of school, had dropped out, or had not yet had the opportunity to learn, the SKB serves as a space to reopen the path towards their ambitions.
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priintono, stated that the existence of the SKB is one of the state’s efforts to ensure that children from underprivileged families continue to have the opportunity to attend school and build a future.
“Through the SKB, our children who were previously out of school, had dropped out, or had not yet attended school, can finally return to education. This is a form of collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to provide them with the space to rebuild hope,” said Agus in a written statement on Monday (21/9/2026).
He shared this while opening the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) for the SKB Sentra Dharma Guna Bengkulu virtually from his residence in Jakarta on Sunday (20/9).
According to Agus, education plays a fundamental role in breaking the transmission of poverty. Therefore, efforts to bring children back into the education system cannot be carried out by a single institution but require collective work from various parties.
Agus noted that millions of children remain out of school, with economic factors being a primary reason why families are unable to afford schooling. This situation underscores the importance of the state’s presence in ensuring that children from poor families maintain access to education.
“The educational pathway is the most fundamental means to break the transmission of poverty. Our shared task is to reach out to, accompany, and guide these children to realise their life ambitions and the hopes of their parents,” said Agus.
For Agus, every child possesses potential that can flourish if given the opportunity. He emphasised that a family’s background does not determine a child’s ability to achieve.
“Our children are great children who need opportunities and space to prove and manifest their greatness into something that can bring happiness and hope, especially for themselves and their parents,” he said.
The presence of the SKB also serves as a complement to the development of ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s Schools). Due to the limited capacity of Sekolah Rakyat compared to the number of children requiring educational services, the SKB provides an additional space to accommodate children who have not yet accessed learning through that route.
Agus stated that the state must ensure no child loses the opportunity to attend school simply because of their family’s economic condition.
“Those who are able can attend school at their own expense, but for those who cannot, the state must reach out and bring them in. This is where the importance of mutual cooperation and collaboration between institutions lies, so that all Indonesian children can attend school and realise their dreams,” he added.
On this occasion, Agus also expressed his appreciation to the facilitators and all parties involved in reaching out to children who previously did not receive attention in educational services.
Facilitators, including Human Resources from the Family Hope Program (SDM PKH) and social rehabilitation assistants, play a role in conducting assessments and outreach so that these children can regain their opportunity to learn.
Agus emphasised that the Ministry of Social Affairs’ centres do not only perform social rehabilitation functions but can also be part of poverty alleviation efforts through education.
“Following the establishment of Sekolah Rakyat, hope has grown again. Furthermore, those who cannot be accommodated in Sekolah Rakyat can be supported through SKBs organised by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Social Affairs Office,” said Agus.
“This also provides new hope for our brothers and sisters living in poverty,” he added.
Consequently, he urged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, education offices, social affairs offices, Ministry of Social Affairs centres, and facilitators to continue strengthening synergy in reaching out to out-of-school children.
“Let us not merely work according to our tasks and functions, but let us work with conscience. We must reach out to our children from poor families so they can attend school and eventually realise their ambitions,” he concluded.