Habib Idrus Views 'Sekolah Rakyat' as State Investment to Break the Cycle of Poverty
Habib Idrus Salim Al Jufri, a member of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the PKS Faction, recently visited the Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Atas (SRMA) 33 in South Tangerang. At the school, which currently accommodates 145 students from underprivileged families, Habib Idrus asserted that education is not merely a government programme, but a long-term state investment aimed at transforming the future of society.
According to Habib Idrus, although Commission XI oversees state finances and various financial sector institutions, every fiscal policy must ultimately provide real benefits to the public. “As a member of Commission XI, we see that the state budget is not just about numbers. The ultimate goal is how every rupiah spent by the state can improve the people’s quality of life, including through education,” Habib Idrus stated in South Tangerang on Friday (31/7/2026).
He noted that he has been paying particular attention to the ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s School) Programme since it was presented by President Prabowo Subianto during the Financial Note delivery. In his view, the programme represents the state’s commitment to supporting communities that have historically faced limitations in accessing proper education.
Habib Idrus argued that the success of ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ should not be measured solely by the construction of school buildings. More importantly, the focus must be on ensuring the quality of learning, the readiness of educators, adequate facilities, and equal opportunities for all students to compete with other institutions. “Sekolah Rakyat must not only succeed in building its structures, but must also be capable of building the future of its students. The children studying here must have the same opportunity to achieve their ambitions,” he said.
Amidst various public discourses, Habib Idrus urged all parties to view the ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ Programme as a long-term investment. He noted that the results of human resource development may not be felt immediately, but will yield significant impacts for the nation in the future. He also expressed hope that the reach of the programme’s beneficiaries could be expanded so that more children from low-income families can access quality learning.
Sharing a personal connection to educational issues, Habib Idrus recounted how his father, coming from a humble background, was able to pursue doctoral studies abroad through a scholarship. This experience solidified his belief that education is the most effective way to change lives. “That is why I believe education is the best investment. When the state provides educational access to those in need, the state is essentially building the future of Indonesia,” he remarked.
During the visit, Habib Idrus also shared that he is personally developing a school intended for children from disadvantaged families, an experience that further strengthens his conviction that educational access must be expanded. Concluding his visit, he expressed his appreciation to the educators and administrators of SRMA 33 South Tangerang for their dedication. He expressed hope that the ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ Programme will continue to be strengthened as a state instrument to improve Indonesia’s human resource quality and break the cycle of poverty through education.