Gus Ipul Reminds Sekolah Rakyat Principals to Prepare for Crucial Phase

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, has reminded all Sekolah Rakyat principals to thoroughly prepare for the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. The message was conveyed during an online meeting with Sekolah Rakyat principals and representatives from social services across Indonesia ahead of the start of MPLS.

According to him, meticulous preparation is necessary because Sekolah Rakyat is entering a transition phase from a pilot school to a permanent institution. All stages, from planning and implementation to monitoring and evaluation, need to be well-prepared to ensure a smooth adaptation process.

‘I want the principals to really focus on making plans, as well as carrying out control and monitoring evaluations. So, starting from planning, implementation, to monitoring and evaluation, everything must be prepared comprehensively,’ he said in a written statement on Friday (3/7/2026).

He explained that the planning covers three main aspects: readiness of facilities and infrastructure, student readiness, and readiness of teachers and educational staff. To ensure all these aspects are met, principals are asked to continuously coordinate with local governments.

In addition to ensuring that buildings and supporting facilities such as clean water and electricity are ready for use, student status must also be determined through a plenary session with regional heads. Meanwhile, all teachers and educational staff are expected to participate in the MPLS series. Permanent Sekolah Rakyat that were not preceded by a pilot programme will be supported by temporary teaching staff from local governments, nearby Sekolah Rakyat, and social facilitators until the recruitment process is completed in early August 2026.

The MPLS for the 2026/2027 Academic Year is scheduled to take place from 14 to 31 July 2026, followed by a matriculation period from 3 August to 30 September 2026. The minister stated that this period is a crucial phase to prepare students physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, and academically.

‘So the sequence is MPLS, then matriculation, and finally teaching and learning activities. The goal is to prepare students physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, and academically, as well as to bridge competency gaps with the Sekolah Rakyat curriculum. This is a crucial period,’ he explained.

During this period, principals and all staff are also asked to build empathy with students who come from diverse backgrounds. He assessed that MPLS is not merely a ceremonial opening event, but rather a foundation for building equality so that all students can follow the learning process properly.

At the end of the meeting, he also reminded all principals and social services to strengthen their commitment to running the Sekolah Rakyat programme. According to him, all parties involved are managing a strategic programme that represents the hopes of the people, and it must be carried out with hard work, professionalism, and full responsibility.

‘Work, move, make an impact. Sekolah Rakyat is the real face of the state being present for the people,’ he asserted.