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

The construction of permanent Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) is progressing in several regions to guarantee free access to education for children from underprivileged families. In Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) and Polewali Mandar, the construction process is already underway, while in Probolinggo, the land proposal process is still ongoing. Progress reports on the construction were delivered by Probolinggo Deputy Regent Lora Fahmi, Acting Regent of Kuantan Singingi Muklisin, and Polewali Mandar DPRD Chairman Fahry Fadly during an audience with Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (5/8/2026). During the meeting, Agus Jabo stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs cannot work alone in organising the Sekolah Rakyat. He therefore invited local governments to cooperate in supporting the success of this programme, from the land proposal stage and physical construction to the implementation of learning. “You just need to manage it. I ask that the regent and their staff support the headmaster and the needs of the school,” he said. Agus Jabo further explained that President Prabowo initiated the Sekolah Rakyat to break the transmission of poverty. “He does not want children to be poor just because their parents are poor. This Sekolah Rakyat is a path to graduate our impoverished brothers and sisters through education,” he said. In his report, Acting Regent of Kuantan Singingi Muklisin stated that the construction progress of the permanent Sekolah Rakyat building in his area has reached 90 percent. The school is located in the Teluk Kuantan Sports Centre Complex. “Alhamdulillah, we are the only ones in Riau Province to have received the trust to build a permanent Sekolah Rakyat,” said Muklisin. He mentioned that the school is targeted to begin operating in mid-August, with various needs such as human resources including teachers, guardians, and dormitory supervisors already prepared. “The school environment introduction period will be from 18 to 28 August, with matriculation on 31 August,” Muklisin revealed. The construction of a permanent Sekolah Rakyat in Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi, is also ongoing. The construction is taking place on 6.5 hectares of land in Sambalibali Village, Luyo District, which was donated by Polewali Mandar Regent Samsul Mahmud. “Alhamdulillah, in West Sulawesi Province there are two Sekolah Rakyat, one in Mamuju Regency and one in our area, Polewali Mandar Regency,” said Polewali Mandar DPRD Chairman Fahry Fadly. “And the land used for the Sekolah Rakyat is a grant, the personal land of the Polewali Mandar Regent,” he added. In contrast to Kuansing and Polewali Mandar, the construction of a permanent Sekolah Rakyat building in Probolinggo Regency was delayed due to land acquisition issues. However, Probolinggo Deputy Regent Lora Fahmi conveyed that his party has now prepared 5.2 hectares of land and is awaiting the completion of the administrative process. “Alhamdulillah, today we have 5.2 hectares ready, and for the remaining land to reach 7 hectares, there is village treasury land that has received approval and has undergone the village deliberation process for release, it is just in process now. We hope that the third phase of construction can begin soon in our area,” said Lora Fahmi.