Gus Ipul Explains Phased Rollout of Sekolah Rakyat Orientation, Here's Why
The School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) for Sekolah Rakyat for the 2026/2027 Academic Year will commence on 14 July 2026 in a phased manner across four waves. This approach was chosen to ensure all educational facilities and dormitories are fully ready before new students arrive.
“The phased start of MPLS is not a sign of uncertainty, but a form of responsibility. We do not want children to arrive at a location where the facilities are not truly ready. Every site must be safe and comfortable before we welcome them,” said Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, in a statement on Monday (13/7/2026).
The phased implementation of MPLS is based on three main considerations: the functional readiness of infrastructure, student safety and comfort, and the availability of basic utilities such as clean water, electricity, and sanitation.
“Schools whose facilities are not fully ready will not be forced to accept students for safety reasons. Classrooms, dormitories, and supporting facilities must be confirmed as habitable before students arrive,” he said.
A total of 101 Sekolah Rakyat will conduct MPLS in four waves: 19 permanent schools in the first wave on 14 July, 63 permanent schools in the second wave on 31 July, 8 pioneer schools in Greater Jakarta on 15 August, and 11 permanent schools in the fourth wave on 31 August.
Gus Ipul explained that all waves use the same MPLS framework, consisting of 19 days of child-friendly activities across four phases, as part of a roughly three-month preparation programme before regular learning and full dormitory life begin.
“MPLS is part of a preparation programme lasting approximately three months. After MPLS, it continues with matriculation, then students enter the regular learning programme and the dormitory programme,” he explained.
The preparation programme comprises 19 days of MPLS and approximately 2.5 months of matriculation. During this stage, students are introduced to their own potential, the school community, the curriculum, and the school and dormitory environment.
Additionally, MPLS contains 36 materials grouped into seven themes: introduction to the school environment, character building, literacy and numeracy, health and child protection, digital literacy, discipline, and prevention of risky behaviours such as bullying, drug abuse, and online gambling.
During MPLS, all students will also undergo free health checks, psychological assessments and self-potential mapping, as well as dormitory life habituation assistance. In the first five days, students will be accompanied by TNI-Polri cadets to help build discipline and independence in daily activities.
Gus Ipul stressed that the entire MPLS series is implemented with child-friendly principles and zero tolerance for any form of violence.
“There is no sexual violence, physical violence, bullying, or intolerance. If violence occurs, the perpetrator will be immediately dismissed. There is no first or second warning letter,” he asserted.
Furthermore, he explained that Sekolah Rakyat applies a multi-entry, multi-exit approach, allowing students to join throughout the academic year according to the readiness of the educational unit.
“The phased MPLS is in line with the multi-entry, multi-exit philosophy. This is not an indication of delay, but rather the design of the Sekolah Rakyat admission system. Every new student, from whichever wave, must first undergo matriculation before studying together with existing students,” said Gus Ipul.
Finally, Gus Ipul invited the public to participate in supervising the implementation of Sekolah Rakyat MPLS through Call Centre 021-171 or WhatsApp Centre 0887-7171-171. Every report received will be followed up by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
“We want the public to see firsthand how Sekolah Rakyat works. Therefore, we are opening space for public oversight so that the entire process runs safely, comfortably, and in the best interests of the child,” he concluded.