English-Language 'Putri Mandalika' Drama Enlivens Sekolah Rakyat Open House

Students staged an arts performance during the open house of Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Pertama (SRMP) 18 West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday (10/7). The event, aimed at parents and prospective students, was a lively affair. One of the main performances was a micro-drama titled ‘Putri Mandalika’, delivered entirely in English dialogue. The students performed confidently in eye-catching costumes before Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul. “Long ago, in Lombok, there lived a beautiful and wise princess named Mandalika,” the narrator began the drama. Alongside the drama, students from various levels of Sekolah Rakyat demonstrated a range of other skills. They presented chants, traditional dances, formation marching, pencak silat, a choir, poetry, and speeches in three foreign languages. The performances served as evidence that Sekolah Rakyat does not focus solely on general academic knowledge. The institution also emphasises character building and skills training for its students. “Alhamdulillah, after one year of learning, my children now appear more confident, enthusiastic, and optimistic about achieving their dreams, and I also see, Alhamdulillah, that some have already achieved success,” Gus Ipul said in a written statement on Saturday (11/7). He further explained that Sekolah Rakyat implements an active outreach system. The school does not open regular registration but instead uses the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN). This programme targets families in the first decile, the community group with the lowest socio-economic ranking. This step represents a significant commitment from President Prabowo Subianto to eradicate poverty. “Therefore, my children, these prospective students, make the most of this opportunity, use this opportunity to achieve your dreams, as a gift from President Prabowo,” he added. Gus Ipul also urged all headmasters, teachers, foster guardians, and education staff to work diligently. He stressed that there must be no irregularities in the running of the pilot school. Strict supervision is necessary so that the main goal of establishing Sekolah Rakyat can be fully realised. The primary target is to produce a resilient and skilled next generation. “So that the purpose of organising this people’s school can truly be realised, which is to give birth to resilient children, smart children, children with character, children with skills,” he asserted. The presence of this programme provides great confidence for the parents of prospective students who attended. One such parent is Jannah, a mother who had struggled to finance her child’s schooling. Her husband’s income as a fisherman is unpredictable and often insufficient for daily needs. Sekolah Rakyat has become a new hope so that her child can receive a quality education free of charge. “And I am very grateful to President Prabowo, because with this school, our child can get a proper education and can achieve their dreams,” she said. Jannah is one of thousands of parents now directly benefiting from the government programme. The number of students is set to continue growing as the construction of a permanent building, targeted for completion this month, is finalised. Currently, there are five pilot Sekolah Rakyat sites already operating in West Nusa Tenggara. These facilities are spread across East Lombok Regency, West Lombok Regency, and Sumbawa Regency. The open house was also attended by the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Supomo. Also present were the Minister of Social Affairs’ Special Staff for Communication and Mass Media, Fatkhurohman Taufik, Head of the Paramita Mataram Centre, Arif Rohman, Sekolah Rakyat headmasters, social pillars, and other relevant officials.