Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Inspects Sukoharjo People's School Ahead of New Academic Year

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (Menko PM) A. Muhaimin Iskandar inspected the readiness of Sekolah Rakyat (SR) Sukoharjo to ensure all facilities and educational services are prepared for the new academic year starting 14 July 2026, in Gadingan, Jombor Village, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, on Thursday (02/07/2026). He was accompanied by Deputy for Coordination of Village Community Empowerment, Disadvantaged Regions, and Special Regions, Prof. Rer. Nat. Abdul Haris.

During the inspection, Menko Muhaimin stated that construction progress of Sekolah Rakyat Sukoharjo has exceeded 90 per cent. Facilities for the primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels are in the final stages of completion, allowing student admissions and teaching activities to commence soon. “Alhamdulillah, it is already more than 90 per cent. We are grateful that the SD, SMP, and SMA levels have only 10 per cent remaining. This means the opening on 14 July and the admissions process can be carried out, so the academic year can begin this year,” said Menko Muhaimin.

Menko Muhaimin assessed that the condition of the buildings and facilities at Sekolah Rakyat Sukoharjo is excellent and fit for purpose. He believes a comfortable learning environment will boost the confidence of the students, particularly children from Desil 1 families who are the priority beneficiaries of the programme. “It is very good, very decent, and this will increase the self-confidence of our younger siblings from Desil 1; those prioritised to attend school here are the poorest,” he stated.

Sekolah Rakyat Sukoharjo is built on 5.1 hectares of land with a capacity for 270 students across primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels. Each level has three study groups with a capacity of 90 students each. All students will receive free boarding education, including accommodation, meals, uniforms, school supplies, and laptops to support the learning process. Currently, the student quota for junior and senior secondary levels has been met, while registration for the primary level remains open. As of early July 2026, 37 students have registered for primary school out of a target of 90. The government will continue outreach and evaluation to fill the quota so that more children from underprivileged families can access quality education.

Sekolah Rakyat is a strategic government instrument to break the poverty chain through education. In Sukoharjo Regency alone, there are nearly 27,000 families classified as Desil 1, so the presence of Sekolah Rakyat is expected to expand educational access while increasing social mobility. Nationally, the government is targeting the construction of 93 permanent Sekolah Rakyat schools throughout 2026. The Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, together with the Ministry of Social Affairs and all stakeholders, will continue to evaluate and improve programme implementation, covering aspects of learning, dormitory management, and the quality of educational services.

Furthermore, Menko Muhaimin stressed that the government is not only ensuring children receive free education but is also preparing their futures after graduation. The Coordinating Ministry will continue to encourage Sekolah Rakyat graduates, particularly at the senior secondary level, to pursue higher education, enter the workforce, become entrepreneurs, or work as Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) through official and protected channels. “The goal of Sekolah Rakyat is not just to enable children to attend school, but to ensure they have a better future. We want them to have the opportunity to continue to university, work, become entrepreneurs, or become skilled and protected migrant workers. In this way, education truly becomes a path to breaking the poverty chain,” concluded Menko Muhaimin.