Gus Ipul Reveals Prabowo Targets Every Regency to Have Permanent People's School Building
Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, stated that President Prabowo aims for every regency and city in Indonesia to have at least one permanent People’s School building. The target is part of efforts to expand education access for children from poor and extremely poor families.
Addressing regents, mayors, deputy regents, and deputy mayors, Gus Ipul said during a visit to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Sunday, 31 May 2026: ‘The president’s target is for each regency or city to have one permanent People’s School building; for provinces, it could be two or three depending on objective conditions.’
During the visit, Gus Ipul urged local leaders in NTT to promptly submit land proposals for the construction of permanent People’s Schools.
‘Currently in NTT, only one SRMP 19 Kupang pilot site is set to move to a permanent building. Nationally, 93 permanent People’s School sites are under construction and seven others are in the tender process,’ he explained.
The PKB politician also urged attending local leaders to accelerate the construction of People’s Schools (SR).
‘Please consider this: imagine your regency has a permanent People’s School building, as illustrated by the president’s team, with construction handled by the Ministry of Public Works,’ he said.
The Social Minister’s visit to SRMP 19 Kupang was met with various student performances, including marching drills, speeches in English and Arabic, drama, choir, poetry reading, and Komodo dance. The heartfelt performances moved many guests.
‘This is another gift from the President for families that have been left behind in development. I am proud of the children’s outstanding performance and thank them,’ he said.
Meanwhile, NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena expressed support for the central government’s target, urging all regents and mayors in NTT to swiftly propose People’s School construction in their respective areas.
‘You have proven to the Minister that NTT can do it. This accelerates the target for NTT to have People’s Schools in all 22 regencies and cities, plus two at the provincial level,’ said Melki, the governor’s nickname.
Aside from People’s Schools, Melki confirmed the NTT provincial government is ready to support other Prabowo priority programs, including updating the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN).
‘The National Socio-Economic Single Data serves as a crucial reference for social support initiatives, particularly for the poor and those in need,’ he said.
The People’s School programme targets children from extremely poor families, including waste pickers, farm labourers, fishermen, and cycle rickshaw drivers, providing them with free education and dormitory facilities.
The event was attended by BPS Chief Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, DPR RI member Dipo Nusantara Pua Upa, NTT Vice Governor Jhoni Asadoma, Kupang Mayor Kristian Widodo, Kupang Regent Yosef Dede, Kemensos Secretary-General Robben Rico, Director General of Social Rehabilitation Supomo, NTT social affairs department heads, and People’s School parents.