KSP Oversees Implementation of Sekolah Rakyat Programme in Malang

Jakarta - Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman inspected the implementation of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) programme at SMP Negeri 16 Malang, East Java, as part of efforts to expand educational access for children from underprivileged families. “Sekolah Rakyat is a top priority of his programme. Here we see children who dropped out of school, children from the first and second lowest income deciles who could not afford it, can now attend school here,” Dudung said during the working visit on Friday (13/6), according to an official KSP statement released in Jakarta on Sunday.

The visit was part of concrete steps by the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) to oversee the implementation of the President’s priority programmes. The field inspection focused on ensuring that the right to education for children who had previously dropped out of school is fulfilled through this strategic central government policy. During the inspection, the Presidential Chief of Staff observed the learning process at the pioneering school currently being used for the programme. The facilities at SMP Negeri 16 Malang are being utilised temporarily while awaiting the construction of a permanent school building planned for the surrounding area.

Dudung explained that the government still requires intensive coordination with various parties regarding land provision for the construction of the Sekolah Rakyat building. Therefore, KSP is committed to helping drive synergy between the regional government and relevant technical agencies to accelerate the asset procurement process. “I see this is a pilot school. The Sekolah Rakyat will later be built around here. We are still communicating because there is land that could actually be used, but it still belongs to the sub-district. I will communicate with the Public Works Department, the ATR/BPN Ministry, and the Social Affairs Department so that construction can begin soon,” Dudung stated. He stressed the importance of completing land administration in accordance with applicable procedures and legal provisions. These procedural steps are necessary to ensure the entire development process is orderly, accountable, and does not create regulatory issues in the future.

Through dialogue with the school principal and mentors, Dudung received information about various challenges in the initial stages of the programme. Nevertheless, through continuous character and moral development, the students have shown positive progress, with some even achieving notable accomplishments. The former Army Chief of Staff also expressed high appreciation for the support provided to meet the learning and educational needs of underprivileged students in Malang. “This is the President’s hope, that there will be no more children out of school. Everyone has the same right to pursue education,” Dudung said. During the facility inspection, he also praised a student’s painting depicting the Presidential Palace and the Red and White flag. He noted that such artwork reflects a spirit of nationalism and positive values flourishing among the students. Through this direct supervision, KSP ensures the Sekolah Rakyat programme runs in accordance with the President’s directives and reaches children facing economic barriers. KSP pledged to continue overseeing the resolution of obstacles on the ground by strengthening cross-sector coordination so that the programme’s objectives are optimally achieved.