East Java Governor Prepares 18 Permanent Integrated 'Sekolah Rakyat'

Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa is preparing 18 permanent Integrated Sekolah Rakyat (SRT) across the province to widen access to free education for underprivileged families.

“Initially, the pilot schools covered only junior and senior secondary levels. The pilot SRTs are only in Ponorogo and Banyuwangi. But the permanent Sekolah Rakyat are planned at 18 locations, and hopefully they can become part of strengthening the quality of Indonesia’s human resources, particularly for the lowest income groups, Decile 1 and Decile 2,” Khofifah said in a statement received in Surabaya on Wednesday.

“SRT provides education for disadvantaged communities in Deciles 1 and 2. This is a powerful and effective solution to break the chain of poverty through education. Hopefully it will become a source of happiness for families, communities and the nation, so that all the aspirations they hold can be achieved,” she said.

According to her, one of the permanent SRTs is being built in Sampang Regency with an integrated education concept combining primary school (SD), junior secondary school (SMP) and senior secondary school (SMA) within a single campus.

“The Sampang SRT, covering SD, SMP and SMA, turns out to have the largest area in Indonesia, totalling 12 hectares. So Sampang Regency is extraordinary — it has prepared the largest area in the country for an Integrated Sekolah Rakyat,” she said.

The Sampang SRT will be equipped with dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, a mosque, a multipurpose hall and sports facilities. Construction is targeted for completion before the school orientation period (MPLS) on 31 July 2026.

In the 2026/2027 academic year, the Sampang SRT will accommodate 224 students. Recruitment will be carried out together with Family Hope Programme (PKH) companions, Sub-district Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) and social volunteers to ensure the school targets families in Deciles 1 and 2.