Gus Ipul: 453 Students from People's School to Graduate This Year

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, stated that around 453 students from the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) will graduate this year.

Gus Ipul explained that during nearly one year of operations at the People’s School, the students have been able to follow the learning process well, leading to the decision for them to advance to the next class.

“Insya Allah, there will be 453 students graduating in 2026. Because we consider their age to be sufficient, and secondly, according to reports from the teachers, they already have the ability to take the end-of-semester exams in year 3 or for junior high school (SMP) or primary school (SD),” said Gus Ipul during the One Year of People’s School event at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Office, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

“Five want to go to university, four want to work and become TNI members, two have not yet decided between university or work,” he said.

Gus Ipul noted that every People’s School student has achievements in their respective fields according to their abilities.

“So there are those in STEM fields, social fields, language fields, as well as arts and sports,” he said.

“For those who want to go to university, we will guide them until they can study, either at state universities or renowned private universities,” he added.

Meanwhile, for those who want to become skilled workers, the Ministry of Social Affairs is coordinating with the Ministry of Manpower or the Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection.

“For the bright ones, after graduating from junior high, we will encourage them to enter Garuda School. The main point, as stated, there should be no People’s School graduates who end up unemployed or unable to become agents of change,” he explained.

“We want to ensure that this idea is remembered as a historical event. When hope is no longer inherited as the past, but prepared as the future,” he said.