Eight New Permanent 'Sekolah Rakyat' Sites Enter Physical Construction Phase

The construction of eight additional permanent Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) will commence in the near future. This confirmation was delivered directly by Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, during an audience with representatives from eight regional governments at the Ministry of Social Affairs office on Thursday (18/6/2026). This follows the completion of land provision processes for the schools by the regencies of Tanggamus, Tangerang, Toba, Kudus, Malaka, South Nias, North Kolaka, and Mimika. “The land is provided by the regency, city, or province. Construction is funded by the state budget (APBN). The school principal is proposed by the regional head. This is a joint effort, from the beginning through to supervision,” Gus Ipul stated. Previously, the regents and vice regents reported that the land for constructing permanent Sekolah Rakyat buildings had been prepared, with some sites having already undergone measurement and readiness verification stages. Continuing his directives, Gus Ipul emphasised that Sekolah Rakyat is an affirmative action programme for extremely poor communities, implemented through active outreach by regional governments. He also explained that the physical construction of 93 permanent Sekolah Rakyat sites is currently nearing completion, enabling them to accommodate more students from underprivileged families. “This programme is indeed for the poorest of the poor. The President has entrusted us to ensure there is no corruption, collusion, nepotism (KKN), bribery, or favouritism. This must truly be for them,” he said. Furthermore, he clarified that student admissions are conducted through an outreach mechanism, not open registration. “At Sekolah Rakyat, there is no registration; there is only outreach. Students are identified and designated by the regent or mayor, and then we accept them. So, from the outset, this programme is collaborative in nature,” he said. Tanggamus Regent Saleh Asnawi conveyed that the land in his region has been prepared as part of the requirements to enter the construction phase. “We have prepared permanent land for Sekolah Rakyat, and even for Sekolah Garuda. In principle, the land for Sekolah Rakyat is ready,” he stated. Toba Regent Effendi SP Napitupulu said that his land has been mapped, although further processes are still adapting to field conditions. “We have prepared land for the permanent Sekolah Rakyat and have measured the land’s readiness. However, due to a natural disaster in our region, the Ministry of Public Works is still postponing the follow-up process,” he said. Meanwhile, Mimika Regent Johannes Rettob confirmed that the prepared land meets the technical criteria and is ready for follow-up. “We have prepared approximately 8 hectares of flat land with no issues. We are currently waiting for the Public Works ministry to conduct a review,” he said. Vice Regent of Kudus, Bellinda Putri Sabrina Birton, conveyed that land provision was carried out through cross-sector cooperation. “For the permanent construction land for Sekolah Rakyat, we have collaborated with Perhutani and the Infantry Brigade, with an area of approximately 10 hectares,” she said.