Dramatic Story to Be Told: 'Sekolah Rakyat' Film Set for Release
The government, together with the Penjaga Harapan platform, is collaborating to present the ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s School) film. The approximately 25-minute film will be produced with a dramatic approach that highlights transformation from limitation to hope, without exploiting suffering.
Penjaga Harapan Content Coordinator Doni Adhitia stated that this project is not merely a film production, but a collaborative effort to bring the programme’s values into the public sphere. This was expressed during an audience between representatives of the Ministry of the State Secretariat, the Penjaga Harapan creative team, and Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono at the Ministry of Social Affairs office on Tuesday (23/6/2026).
Present at the audience were Penjaga Harapan Managing Director Wildanshah, Director of the Perkumpulan Warga Muda I Putu Arya, Art Director Maulana Wedy Irkham, Director Bethap Virga Kiswanata, and Producer Kiky Malik.
‘We hope this film becomes a joint effort to convey the ideological value of Sekolah Rakyat to the public. This is not just a story, but an attempt to bring empathy and understanding that this programme truly touches people’s lives,’ Doni said in a written statement on Wednesday (24/6/2026).
Responding to the plan, Agus Jabo expressed full support and stressed the importance of impactful results. ‘If we start this, it must succeed. This is not just a production, but about how the public can see that the state is present and gives hope,’ said Agus.
The Ministry of Social Affairs also opened up necessary support for the production process, including location access, data, and coordination with relevant units.
During the meeting, Agus Jabo emphasised that Sekolah Rakyat is a state instrument to open educational access for children from underprivileged families, not merely an end goal. ‘Sekolah Rakyat is not the goal, but a tool provided by the state so that children from poor families can realise their dreams and their families can graduate from poverty,’ he said.
He explained that the majority of Sekolah Rakyat students come from families in decile 1 and decile 2 of the DTSEN with very limited economic conditions. Through a boarding school concept, this programme provides decent educational access without being constrained by zoning or geographical limitations.
The film, initiated through the Penjaga Harapan platform, is designed as a medium to convey the programme’s values and messages to the wider community. The story will follow the journey of a child from a modest family who initially had to work, until finally getting the opportunity to attend school.
Meanwhile, Penjaga Harapan Managing Director Wildanshah conveyed that this initiative is important as a bridge for policy communication to the public. ‘We see this film as part of an effort to convey government programmes in a more grounded and easily understood way. The substance of the programme remains the state’s, and creative approaches like this serve as a complement to broaden the message’s reach,’ said Wildanshah.
The film will be produced with a duration of around 25 minutes. Additionally, a 30-second trailer version will be prepared for distribution across various public channels such as videotrons.
This film production is expected to expand the involvement of the film community in conveying strategic government programmes, while strengthening public understanding that improving human resource quality is key to poverty alleviation.
‘This film is a collaborative work that tells the story of a child from an extremely poor family struggling to access education. Set in areas like Cariu and its surroundings, the story showcases the life transformation of a child from having to work every day, to finally getting the opportunity to learn at Sekolah Rakyat,’ he explained.
Carrying the message ‘from darkness to light’, the film focuses on: new hope for children from underprivileged families; access to education without economic and zoning barriers; character, skill, and confidence building; and the state’s role in uplifting the poor.
‘Production is planned to take place over three days with a research-based approach and consultation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the film community,’ he concluded.