Gus Ipul Calls on Various Stakeholders to Support Prabowo's "People's School" Initiative

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf revealed the origins of the People’s School programme, which was conceived by President Prabowo. He explained that the People’s Schools are intended for children from poor or extremely disadvantaged families and do not require academic testing.

“This is actually the President’s original idea,” said Gus Ipul, as he is commonly known, speaking at detikcom’s Holy Month Inspiration event on Monday, 9 March 2026. “Initially, I didn’t fully understand the concept—I imagined these would be elite schools exclusively for underprivileged families. But it turned out that ‘elite’ refers to the facilities and supporting infrastructure.”

“However, regarding the students, anyone can be admitted without academic testing. There is no academic selection test, and students are not discriminated against based on academic capacity or their ability to master certain subjects whatsoever,” Gus Ipul said.

He explained that as long as students come from low-income or extremely poor families, they may enrol in the People’s Schools. In some cases, students’ ages may not conform to standard norms—for example, a 9-year-old might enrol in first grade.

“That’s how it works, and this is something we see in our midst,” he said.

Gus Ipul expressed his satisfaction at being able to help families who have previously been largely overlooked, allowing children who had not previously attended school to resume their education. He revealed President Prabowo’s target of establishing one permanent People’s School in each district and city.

“With measured outreach each year, the President’s ultimate target is one permanent People’s School in every district and city that could reach approximately 500,000 students,” said Gus Ipul.

“Beyond that, this awakens and makes many parties aware—it awakens stakeholders and decision-makers—that there are people we must look to, people we must help, people we must affirm. How do we honour them? How do we give them wider opportunities to become resilient, exceptional, and independent individuals in the future?” he added.

Gus Ipul believed the target demonstrates that many children still require support through the People’s School programme. He praised Prabowo’s initiative for accommodating the educational needs of the poor and disadvantaged to assist them in Indonesia’s development process.

“This is what is remarkable about the President—let me repeat—as President, he uses his influence to raise public and societal awareness that there are those who are left behind, those who have not yet been included in the development process,” he said.

“There are those who suffer, but remain unseen. There is a Constitutional mandate: ‘The State shall care for the poor and abandoned children.’ The question is how we care for them. The President strengthens what already exists, but he innovates by introducing the People’s Schools,” he added.

Therefore, during this Ramadan month, Gus Ipul hopes the government will continue providing education and guidance to People’s School students until they achieve a bright future. He called on all parties to ensure protection for children and guarantee access to education.

“This is not only a Constitutional obligation, but also a religious command. How can we protect our children if we can become parents to all children—that would truly be something most beneficial. Therefore, let us now truly care for God’s trust, guide them, safeguard them, to ensure their futures are bright,” he concluded.