Gus Ipul Highlights Impact of People's School on SRMA Makassar Students
The Sekolah Rakyat programme is beginning to show tangible results after running for more than nine months since its launch on 14 July 2025. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, stated that the students are now growing more confident, disciplined, and have aspirations to continue their education or enter the workforce.
This was conveyed during a working visit to inspect Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Atas (SRMA) 26 at the Balai Besar Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Kesejahteraan Sosial Makassar on Saturday, 18 April 2026. During the visit, Gus Ipul directly observed the students’ development, which he assessed as increasingly mature both academically and in character.
“The students are starting to be more confident, already having interests and determination in certain fields. More importantly, they have the awareness to utilise opportunities to become knowledgeable, characterful, and intelligent students,” said Gus Ipul.
According to him, graduates of Sekolah Rakyat will continue to be accompanied until they are able to proceed to higher education or become skilled workers, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives for this priority programme.
He explained that the biggest challenges arose in the early implementation phase, particularly when students and teachers adapted to the boarding school system. However, after the second and third months, the learning rhythm began to form and operate optimally.
“Students’ discipline starts to build for waking up early and following a packed schedule until late at night. That indeed requires a process,” he said.
Sekolah Rakyat implements integrated education, where mornings focus on formal learning based on a learning management system (LMS), while afternoons to evenings are directed towards character building through supervision by dormitory guardians and foster parents.
“We want the children to have strong character, be religious, love their fellow humans, love knowledge, and be aware that they are the generation that will contribute to Indonesia’s progress,” he continued.
The programme targets students from poor and extremely poor families based on the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN), including those who previously dropped out of school. Therefore, Sekolah Rakyat becomes a pathway for transformation for children from underprivileged families.
“They are prepared to become agents of change, both for themselves, their families, and Indonesia,” he emphasised.
The head of SRMA 26, Andi Ernawati, revealed significant changes in the students. Those who were previously lacking in confidence are now brave enough to perform in public.
One student, Ibrahim Ramadan, expressed gratitude for being able to participate in this programme. He is now more diligent in studying and is preparing to participate in the 2026 National Student Arts and Literature Festival in the creative dance category.
In addition, several other students are also participating in various national competitions, including the 2026 Indonesian Student Research Olympiad (OPSI), demonstrating improvements in academic and non-academic quality.
During the visit, Gus Ipul also inspected the school’s facilities, from classrooms and libraries to student dormitories. He even took the time to have lunch with the students and watched a demonstration of learning using a digital whiteboard.
SRMA 26 Makassar stands on a 6,840 square metre plot of land and is equipped with various supporting facilities, including laboratories, a mosque, an auditorium, and sports facilities. Currently, the school accommodates 141 students supported by dozens of educators and caregivers.
The government continues to expand the Sekolah Rakyat programme with a target of reaching more than 30,000 students this year. If achieved, the total beneficiaries are projected to exceed 46,000 students in 2026 and increase to more than 100,000 students in the following year.