Gus Ipul Welcomes Positive Changes in West Lombok Sekolah Rakyat Students

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, has stated that Sekolah Rakyat exists to provide equal opportunities for children from poor and extremely poor families to access education and achieve a better future. Gus Ipul made the statement while attending a Sekolah Rakyat Open House with prospective students and parents at Sentra Paramita Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday. “Children who may have buried their dreams are now becoming more confident, more optimistic, and brave enough to pursue their aspirations,” said Gus Ipul. On the occasion, Gus Ipul introduced prospective students to Sekolah Rakyat pupils who have been studying for a year since the pilot programme began in July 2025. “The children who performed earlier were reached through government data. Sekolah Rakyat does not open registration; instead, the state reaches out to families who may have been invisible in the development process,” he said. He explained that Sekolah Rakyat is intended for families in deciles 1 and 2, the lowest socio-economic groups as recorded in the National Single Socio-Economic Data. After a year of education at Sekolah Rakyat, Gus Ipul assessed that students have begun to show changes, from increased self-confidence to the courage to dream again. One student who has experienced such a change is Novatul Alratia, 14, from Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Pertama 18 West Lombok, who admitted she was initially shy and lacked confidence. After becoming a student there, she achieved first place in a national-level pencak silat competition. Novatul is now determined to become a policewoman. Her mother said her daughter has become more disciplined, confident, and often helps with housework. According to her, Novatul had lost her confidence after the family’s economy was affected by the pandemic. Meanwhile, Haikal Abdul Majid, 14, a student at the same school, said he aspires to be a psychologist. Haikal, who lives with his aunt following family problems, expressed happiness at being able to study at Sekolah Rakyat. “I feel happy because I have many friends, the teachers are kind to me, and I can eat for free here,” said Haikal. Haikal’s aunt stated that her nephew has changed, particularly in terms of discipline and self-confidence. Since studying at Sekolah Rakyat, Haikal has even dared to lead prayers at school. Furthermore, Gus Ipul emphasised that Sekolah Rakyat is a form of President Prabowo Subianto’s attention to poor and extremely poor families so that children receive a proper, quality, 24-hour residential education. He hopes that Sekolah Rakyat will produce a generation that is resilient, has character, possesses skills, and becomes Indonesia’s future leaders. “Your parents may be scavengers, casual labourers, or construction workers, but they must still be respected. Hopefully, from Sekolah Rakyat, doctors, teachers, psychologists, police officers, pilots, and even future Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia will emerge,” concluded Gus Ipul.