Four Public Schools in South Sulawesi Hold Simultaneous Orientation Week

Four Integrated Public Schools (SRT) across the South Sulawesi province—specifically in the Barru, Sidrap, Tana Toraja, and Bone regencies—held their School Environment Orientation (MPLS) simultaneously on Friday. Each SRT welcomed 270 new students, comprising 90 students each for primary, junior high, and senior high school levels.

The Head of the South Sulawesi Provincial Social Affairs Office, Malik Faisal, stated that the commencement of the orientation period signifies that all infrastructure, facilities, and equipment are fully prepared to accommodate new students for the 2026-2027 academic year, particularly under the boarding school system. “The implementation of MPLS indicates that these schools are capable of conducting the learning process and meeting the basic needs of students for studying and residing in the dormitories,” he said.

According to Malik, the Public School initiative is designed to reduce poverty by providing better education for pre-prosperous communities and children from low-income families. He emphasised that this requires dedicated guidance and patience from school staff. “They are special children; once they enter the Public School, they encounter an environment very different from their homes, so staff must be more attentive and patient,” he added.

Attending the orientation in Barru, the Regent of Barru, Andi Ina Kartika Sari, noted that the government remains fully committed to improving community welfare and reducing poverty rates. “In addition to students being admitted to the Public School, their homes are also being renovated through the house renovation programme. This ensures they have decent living conditions. This programme is precisely targeted to reduce poverty,” said Ina.

Currently, there are nine Public Schools distributed across nine regions in South Sulawesi, including the regencies of Sidrap, Soppeng, Wajo, Tana Toraja, Barru, Bone, Takalar, Sinjai, and Makassar City. Previously, orientation periods for these schools had already been held in Makassar, Takalar, Soppeng, and Sinjai.