Deputy Minister: Acceleration of 'Sekolah Rakyat' Programme to Follow Procedures
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono is encouraging regional governments to strengthen collaboration with the central government in implementing the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) programme. This collaboration is believed to accelerate the stages of organising Sekolah Rakyat.
This was conveyed during an audience with the Subulussalam City Government, the Aceh Singkil Regency Government, and the Indragiri Hulu Regency Government at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Jakarta on Thursday (9/7).
The Deputy Minister stated that the government is striving to accelerate the opening of educational access for children from poor and extremely poor families. However, all stages of development and programme management still follow the applicable mechanisms.
“The President indeed wants it fast, because there are still around 4 million children not in school. But the stages must still comply with the Ministry of Social Affairs’ mechanisms so that the budgeting can be accounted for,” said Agus Jabo.
He then emphasised the importance of completing land administration for the construction of permanent Sekolah Rakyat, especially for Aceh Singkil Regency, which was immediately responded to positively by Singkil Regent Safriadi Oyon.
“For the land, the certificate must be brought. If you don’t bring the certificate, the school matter cannot be processed. This week I ask for it to be proven. I hope Singkil has a permanent Sekolah Rakyat. If possible, this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Subulussalam Mayor Rasyid reported during the meeting that the construction progress of Sekolah Rakyat in his area has entered the final stage.
“Alhamdulillah, our Sekolah Rakyat is in the finishing stage. The latest progress reached 74 percent,” he said.
He added that the acceleration of construction was carried out by involving various elements working in shifts to meet the completion target of 14 July.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Social Service of Indragiri Hulu Regency, Rika Varia Nora, conveyed a number of challenges in social services in her area. One of them is the handling of people with mental disorders (ODGJ) and children in conflict with the law (ABH), which is still constrained by limited facilities and infrastructure.
In the field of data collection, the Indragiri Hulu Regency Government continues to strengthen the updating of the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) by increasing the capacity of operators in each village and conducting field verification.
“Indragiri Hulu is targeting data updates to reach 50 percent of the population by September and 100 percent by December 2026,” said Rika.
Rika also expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Social Affairs’ support in empowering Remote Indigenous Communities (KAT), especially for the Talang Mamak Tribe. In addition, the regional government is preparing more than 100 Beneficiary Families of the Family Hope Programme (KPM PKH) to participate in the Socio-Economic Empowerment Programme (PPSE) through business development synergised with the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) and the Village Red-and-White Cooperatives (KDKMP).
Responding to these various proposals, Deputy Minister Agus Jabo stated that the central government opens the widest possible space for collaboration with regional governments in efforts to accelerate poverty alleviation.
“The main thing is I am happy if the regions are enthusiastic about poverty alleviation. I will support as long as the Ministry of Social Affairs has the programme. That is indeed the President’s order, so don’t be shy or afraid to approach the central government. We are indeed asked to collaborate,” concluded the Deputy Minister.