Government Targets 500 People's Schools Operational by 2029

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Government Communication Agency (Bakom) has stated that the government is targeting the addition of 100 to 200 People’s Schools (Sekolah Rakyat) locations in 2027-2028, with a projection of 500 operational schools by 2029.

Deputy III for Partnership and Media Relations at Bakom, Kurnia Ramadhana, announced during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday that the programme will expand from 166 to 182 schools for the 2026-2027 academic year.

“Subsequently, for 2027-2028, the government is targeting the addition of 100 to 200 People’s School locations per year. By 2029, the government is targeting the construction of 500 People’s Schools across 38 provinces and 416 regencies/cities,” Kurnia stated.

He explained that as of 21 July 2026, 93 People’s Schools are permanent institutions ready to operate, alongside 81 established pilot schools and eight new pilot schools.

The expansion is part of a gradual transition to develop the People’s Schools from a pilot model into permanent, more sustainable educational units, ensuring that children from poor and underprivileged families receive a quality education.

“With the increasing number of People’s Schools, the target number of students for the 2026-2027 academic year has also risen,” he said.

Citing data from the Ministry of Social Affairs as of 8 July 2026, he detailed that the target for new students includes 6,305 at the primary school level, 11,186 at the junior high school level, and 11,077 at the senior high school level, bringing the total to 28,568 new students.

“Thus, the total number of People’s School students across primary, junior high, and senior high levels, including existing and provisional targets, reaches 43,344 this year,” Kurnia concluded.