Minister: Data Validity Key to Success of 'Sekolah Rakyat' Programme

Social Affairs Minister Syaifullah Yusuf has emphasised that the validity of beneficiary data is the key to the success of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) programme, ensuring that educational assistance from the government is received by children from underprivileged families who are entitled to it. While reviewing teaching and learning activities at Sekolah Rakyat Budi Perkasa Palembang (SRMA 7) on Sunday, the minister stated that the programme is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority initiatives to provide equal opportunities for all Indonesian children to obtain an education. “This programme begins with honest data, honest beneficiaries, and honesty from all parties entrusted with the responsibility, so that it is right on target and truly beneficial,” he said.

Currently, Sekolah Rakyat is operating in 116 locations across various regions, utilising government-owned buildings, including SRMA 7 Palembang which temporarily uses a Ministry of Social Affairs asset. The government is also preparing the construction of permanent school buildings capable of accommodating more than 1,000 students from elementary, junior high, to senior high school levels. By 2026, the number of students is targeted to increase by approximately 30,000, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to around 45,000 students nationally. All students in the programme come from families in the first decile, the group with the lowest socio-economic conditions.

The Sekolah Rakyat programme not only provides free education but is also part of the government’s strategy to break the poverty chain through the empowerment of beneficiary families. “Their parents must also be empowered, so that Sekolah Rakyat becomes part of the poverty alleviation effort,” the minister added. Specifically in South Sumatra, the construction of permanent Sekolah Rakyat buildings is currently underway in Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, Ogan Ilir Regency, and Empat Lawang Regency, while Palembang City is still in the land provision and acquisition stage. Nationally, the government is building 104 permanent Sekolah Rakyat buildings, with a future target of ensuring every district and city has at least one permanent school capable of accommodating around 1,000 students from elementary to senior high school levels.