Cabinet Secretary: People's Schools Being Expanded, 16,000 Schools Undergoing Renovation

Children who cannot attend school, have dropped out, or have never attended school are being enrolled in People’s Schools, according to Indonesia’s Cabinet Secretary.

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has announced that President Prabowo Subianto’s administration is continuing to expand educational access through the People’s Schools programme alongside accelerating the renovation of damaged schools across various regions.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday, Teddy stated that People’s Schools are designed for children unable to access formal education, including those who have dropped out or never attended school.

“Children who cannot attend school, have dropped out, or perhaps have never attended school, are being enrolled in People’s Schools,” he said.

He explained that students not only receive free education but also accommodation facilities, nutritional support, and health insurance coverage.

The programme has reached between 16,000 and 22,000 students across 166 schools over the past year. “This year, an additional 100 schools will be built,” he said.

Regarding school renovation in regional areas, Teddy noted that management authority over secondary education sits with provincial governors, whilst primary and junior secondary schools fall under the jurisdiction of regents and mayors.

However, the central government is still intervening to accelerate renovations due to extensive infrastructure damage that has remained unaddressed for many years.

Throughout 2025, approximately 16,000 schools have undergone renovation with a total budget of around 17 trillion rupiah through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

Beyond infrastructure improvements, the government is also strengthening digital learning by distributing 280,000 digital television units to 280,000 schools in 2025, with numbers to be increased this year.

He added that the construction of Garuda schools, integrated schools, and new campus facilities is also underway.

“There is no programme that has not been continued. All programmes are running and are even being expanded,” Teddy stated.