Gus Ipul Inspects Permanent People's School in Surabaya, Pens Touching Message
Alhamdulillah. At 97 sites, the construction of People’s School buildings is currently underway by the Ministry of Public Works. Of these 97, 67 are expected to be completed on time, insha’Allah,” said Gus Ipul in his statement on Sunday (3/5/2026).
He explained that for the sites not yet completed, there are still several obstacles, ranging from unresolved administrative issues to geographical challenges in some areas. Nevertheless, the buildings will be utilised functionally while completion continues in stages.
This permanent People’s School in Surabaya stands on a plot of land measuring 66,143 square metres. Its current physical progress stands at 56 percent, with about 47 working days remaining and involving around 789 workers. The project is targeted for completion on 20 June 2026 and ready for use in the new academic year 2026/2027.
Gus Ipul added that East Java is one of the regions with the highest number of People’s Schools being built in Indonesia.
“There are 18 in East Java. This one is the largest specifically in East Java,” he stated.
In East Java itself, 26 pilot People’s Schools are currently operational, and 18 permanent sites will be built. In the ongoing construction phase, there are five locations being prioritised: Surabaya, Gresik, Tuban, Jombang, and Sampang.
The People’s School construction is designed with an integrated education zone concept. Facilities prepared include learning buildings for primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels, boys’ and girls’ dormitories, teachers’ quarters, worship facilities, sports fields, and green open spaces. The school is targeted to accommodate around 1,000 students.
“This building can later accommodate a thousand students. For primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary. Equipped with library facilities, then dormitories, laboratories, health rooms, and other extracurricular facilities,” he clarified.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the People’s School has a different approach compared to ordinary schools. There is no registration process; instead, direct outreach is based on DTSEN for children from Deciles 1 and 2 families.
“The People’s School does not open registrations; we reach out. Outreach prioritises children who are not in school, have not started school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out,” he stressed.
Regarding the procurement of student supplies, including shoes, Gus Ipul assured that the entire process is conducted transparently and accountably.
“There must be no lobbying, no placements, no manipulations, no deviations in the procurement process,” he asserted.
He also invited the public to participate in monitoring to ensure all processes run cleanly and in accordance with regulations.
On this occasion, Gus Ipul also appreciated the good construction progress and the work of the on-site construction personnel.
At the end of the visit, Gus Ipul wrote a message on the testimonial plaque at the construction site.
“This school is not built just from bricks and cement but with hopes for children from underprivileged families to grow equally.”
That message serves as a reminder that the People’s School is not merely physical construction but an effort to bring hope and a better future for the nation’s next generation, especially children from extremely poor families.
During this inspection, Gus Ipul was accompanied by Director General of Social Rehabilitation Supomo, Special Staff to the Minister Ishaq Zubaedi Raqib, Special Staff to the Minister for Communication and Mass Media Fatkhurrohman Taufik, and Minister of Social Affairs’ Expert Staff for Planning and Strategic Policy Evaluation Andy Kurniawan.
Additionally, present were Head of the Strategic Infrastructure Implementation Work Unit of the Ministry of Public Works I Gusti Agung Ariwibawa, Commitment Making Official (PPK) for Strategic Infrastructure Implementation II of the Ministry of Public Works Akhbar Ansyari, Project Head of PT Waskita Raya KSO Taufik Rahmawan, Head of Administration Section Hari Soekarno, Head of Technical Section Bachtiar Muhamad Iqbal, representative from the East Java Provincial Social Service Amirudin, and representative from the Surabaya City Social Service Buyung Hidayat.