Central Java's 'Sekolah Rakyat' Permanent Schools Set to Operate on 31 July 2026

The Central Java Provincial Government has stated that the permanent Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) in the region are ready to begin operating and carry out learning activities from 31 July 2026.

“Conceptually, the permanent Sekolah Rakyat will start operating on 31 July. That is why we are coordinating together to resolve the various obstacles that remain,” said Central Java Regional Secretary Sumarno in Semarang on Monday.

He made the remarks at a Coordination Meeting on Sekolah Rakyat and the Provision of Assistant Teachers for Permanent Sekolah Rakyat, attended by the social affairs offices of the regencies and cities where the schools are located, the Ministry of Public Works as the project implementer, and the schools’ principals.

To date, he said, the Central Java Provincial Government together with the relevant stakeholders have continued to finalise the operational plans for the schools.

According to him, one of the issues that has emerged is the recruitment of pupils, particularly at the primary school (SD) level, which has yet to meet its target.

The provincial government is also pushing for the completion of facilities and infrastructure, especially dormitories, as the permanent Sekolah Rakyat concept requires all pupils to live in dormitories.

“We are working together with our colleagues from Public Works to ensure that all facilities are ready before 31 July,” he said.

He urged regency and city governments to coordinate actively should there still be shortfalls in basic facilities, such as clean water supplies. Provisional solutions may be made through the supply of water tanks or other measures according to conditions on the ground.

All regional governments, he said, have been asked to conduct assessments of buildings still under construction, particularly with regard to comfort, security, and safety.

Sekolah Rakyat is a programme intended for children from underprivileged families, so the quality of the facilities provided must not be slipshod.

Head of the Central Java Provincial Social Affairs Office, Imam Maskur, said Central Java currently has ten permanent Sekolah Rakyat and six pilot schools.

Through the coordination meeting, he said, it is hoped that the resolution of various issues can be accelerated, so that all the schools can operate optimally in line with the target for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The principal of Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Atas (SRMA) 17 Surakarta, Septina Sintasari, said her school has prepared 188 pupils to take part in teaching and learning activities in its inaugural academic year.