Batam Breaks Ground on Indonesia's First Integrated 'Sekolah Rakyat' Boarding School

The city of Batam has officially taken a major step in education by building the Integrated Merah Putih People’s School in the Rempang area, Galang District. The project is designed to be the first model in Indonesia to combine primary, junior secondary and senior secondary levels within a single boarding school complex with internationally standard facilities.

The construction phase was marked by a joint community activity at the project site on Sunday (2/8/2026). The commitment was announced directly by the Mayor of Batam and Head of BP Batam, Amsakar Achmad, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Batam and Deputy Head of BP Batam, Li Claudia Chandra.

The construction is part of the strategic programme of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto to break the chain of intergenerational poverty. Built on 18.5 hectares of BP Batam’s management rights (HPL) land, the school is dedicated to children from low-income families across the city of Batam.

Mayor of Batam Amsakar Achmad affirmed that the project is a long-term investment to produce an outstanding generation that masters technology and can compete globally.

“This school is not merely about constructing a building, but about building the future of Batam’s generations,” said Amsakar. He added that although it is located in Rempang, its beneficiaries include children from low-income families across Batam, so they can receive equal educational opportunities without a financial burden.

Echoing this, Li Claudia Chandra emphasised the importance of the government’s commitment to access to quality education. “The government wants children from low-income families to also receive a proper education,” she stated. She said the curriculum will focus on vocational education and technological mastery so that graduates are ready for work or entrepreneurship.

The Rempang Integrated Merah Putih People’s School adopts a boarding school concept. All students’ needs, from accommodation and nutrition to healthcare and learning facilities, are provided free of charge.

The school’s presence is also projected to support Batam’s position as an international investment hub. Through its vocational track, local children are expected to meet the workforce needs of high-technology industry, manufacturing, logistics and the digital economy sectors, so they do not remain mere spectators amid the region’s rapid development.

Technical preparations are currently being accelerated, from the completion of the PKKPR, environmental impact assessment (AMDAL), to building approval (PBG). Initial works such as site fencing and flood mitigation have already begun. BP Batam targets completion of the entire construction process by 2028, while continuing to prioritise humane communication with the surrounding community.

Nationally, the government has inaugurated 166 People’s Schools across 34 provinces. However, the Rempang model is the first to integrate all levels of primary through secondary and vocational education within a single modern ecosystem, and it is hoped it will become an example for other regions in Indonesia.