Digital infrastructure for 93 People's Schools targeted to be operational by July 2026

The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) and the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) aim to have digital learning infrastructure installed at 93 permanent People’s School buildings fully operational by next July to welcome the 2026/2027 academic year. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, speaking after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Public Works in Jakarta on Tuesday, said the provision of technical support facilities is being expedited in parallel with the completion of the second phase of physical construction carried out by the Ministry of Public Works (PU). “Komdigi will collaborate with the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Social Affairs to build digital learning infrastructure. Internet connections and other digital learning-related installations are being accelerated to ensure they are operational by July,” he said. “The July deadline is critical to ensure students from the lowest economic households in the National Single Social-Economic Data (DTSEN) can immediately utilise the digital ecosystem from their first day at school,” Saifullah explained. This on-site internet integration is projected to reduce the digital literacy gap and provide equal access to modern teaching materials for vulnerable children across regions. However, he acknowledged challenges in coordination and geographical conditions when connecting telecommunications networks to school locations. “We will strengthen coordination next week at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), at Mr Dudung’s office. Insha’Allah, we will hold another coordination meeting next week,” he said. People’s Schools are a priority program of President Prabowo Subianto designed to provide free education to children from the lowest welfare households (decile 1-4) based on the National Single Social-Economic Data (DTSEN). The programme adopts an integrated poverty alleviation concept by integrating key services such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), Free Health Checks (CKG), PBI-JK health insurance, along with links to the Red and White Cooperative and the 3 Million Houses Programme. According to Ministry of Social Affairs data, 166 pilot People’s School sites are currently operational across 38 provinces since July 2025. These facilities accommodate 15,900 students from primary to secondary levels, supported by thousands of educators. The government is currently building 101 permanent People’s Schools this year as part of a larger target to construct 500 permanent schools by 2029. In Jakarta and its surroundings, the Ministry of Social Affairs recently announced 10 additional pilot People’s School sites dedicated to accommodating homeless children, street children, and those at risk of dropping out.