Deputy Social Minister Inspects 'Sekolah Rakyat' Development in Probolinggo and Polewali Mandar

The construction of permanent People’s Schools continues in a number of regions to guarantee free access to education for children from underprivileged families.

In Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) and Polewali Mandar, construction is already underway, while in Probolinggo the land proposal process is still ongoing.

Progress reports were delivered by Deputy Regent of Probolinggo Lora Fahmi, Acting Regent of Kuantan Singingi Muklisin, and Speaker of the Polewali Mandar Regional House of Representatives Fahry Fadly during an audience with Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

During the meeting, Agus Jabo said the Ministry of Social Affairs cannot work alone in running the People’s Schools. He therefore invited regional governments to cooperate in supporting the success of this programme, from the land proposal stage and physical construction through to the delivery of learning.

“You just need to manage it. I ask that the regent and his staff support the head teacher and the needs of the school,” he said.

Agus Jabo further explained that President Prabowo initiated the People’s Schools to break the transmission of poverty.

“He does not want a situation where if the parents are poor, the children remain poor as well. The People’s School is a pathway to graduate our impoverished brothers and sisters through education,” he said.

In his report, Acting Regent of Kuantan Singingi Muklisin explained that construction of the permanent People’s School building in his area has now reached 90 percent. The school is located in the Teluk Kuantan Sports Centre complex.

“Alhamdulillah, we are the only one in Riau Province to have been entrusted with building a permanent People’s School,” said Muklisin.

Muklisin said his administration is targeting the school to begin operating by mid-August. Various needs, including human resources comprising teachers, guardians and dormitory supervisors, have also been prepared.

“From 18 to 28 August there will be the school environment introduction period, or MPLS. Then on 31 August there will be matriculation,” Muklisin revealed.

Construction of the permanent People’s School in Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi, is also still ongoing. The construction is taking place on 6.5 hectares of land in Sambalibali Village, Luyo District. The land was donated by Polewali Mandar Regent Samsul Mahmud.

“Alhamdulillah, in West Sulawesi Province there are two People’s Schools, one in Mamuju Regency and one in our area, Polewali Mandar Regency,” said Polewali Mandar DPRD Speaker Fahry Fadly.

“And the land used for the People’s School is donated land, the private land of the Regent of Polewali Mandar,” he added.

Unlike Kuansing and Polewali Mandar Regencies, construction of the permanent People’s School building in Probolinggo Regency was delayed due to land acquisition constraints. However, Deputy Regent of Probolinggo Fahmi Abdul Haq Zaini, known as Lora Fahmi, said his administration has now prepared 5.2 hectares of land and is awaiting completion of the administrative process.

“Alhamdulillah, today we have 5.2 hectares of land ready. To reach 7 hectares, there is village treasury land that has received approval and for which a village deliberation has been held for its release; it is just in process now. We hope that the third phase of construction can begin soon in our area as well,” said Lora Fahmi.