Coordinating Minister Cak Imin: People's Schools Must Be a Game Changer to Break the Chain of Poverty at Its Roots

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin, stated that People’s Schools must become a game changer to continuously improve societal welfare and break the chain of poverty. He made this remark during the event ‘Towards One Year of the People’s Schools Programme Journey: Strategic Achievements and Synergy for Sustainability’ at the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment office in Central Jakarta. “People’s Schools must be a game changer that continuously enhances societal welfare. People’s Schools, in accordance with Presidential Regulation No. 120 of 2025, are an inseparable part of poverty alleviation and community welfare programmes,” said Cak Imin, quoted on Thursday, 30 April 2026. Cak Imin stressed that People’s Schools represent a direct initiative from President Prabowo Subianto as part of a grand vision to deliver rapid, targeted education with immediate impact for impoverished communities. To date, there are 166 People’s Schools spread across 34 provinces, reaching more than 15,820 students from poor families. The programme not only provides access to education but also delivers facilities and a learning ecosystem that were previously difficult for vulnerable communities to access. “Therefore, People’s Schools, in addition to alleviating and breaking the chain of poverty, constitute an adaptive and competitive education system,” he stated. Furthermore, Cak Imin highlighted the importance of programme sustainability through strengthened governance and future development for People’s Schools graduates. According to him, graduates of People’s Schools must be prepared to connect directly with the workforce, business world, or strategic professional pathways according to their respective potentials. “Therefore, People’s Schools is a sustainable programme; People’s Schools is an ongoing activity with a sustainable vision; graduates of People’s Schools must become empowerment agents where talented students will continue to receive adequate access,” he explained. Additionally, Cak Imin expressed appreciation to all parties who have contributed to the programme’s implementation, including ministries and agencies, local governments, educators, and other stakeholders. On the same occasion, Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, appreciated Coordinating Minister Muhaimin as the first to declare the organisation of People’s Schools on the President’s orders at the beginning of 2025.