Minister Emphasises Honesty as Key to Reaching Students for 'Sekolah Rakyat' Programme

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, has emphasised that honesty from both outreach officers and the families being approached is the key to the process of recruiting students for the ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s Schools). He made the remarks while attending an Open House for parents and prospective students at Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Atas (SRMA) 7 Palembang, located at the ‘Budi Perkasa’ Centre in Palembang, on Sunday (28/6). The event aimed to allow prospective students, parents, local government, and the community to observe the learning progress of students who have been in the programme for nearly a year.

“This programme must begin with honesty and openness. There is no registration, only outreach. Families that meet the criteria in the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) are approached by officers and then designated as Sekolah Rakyat students,” said Gus Ipul. He added that honesty is also essential in the management of the schools to prevent any misappropriation or abuse. “The management must also be honest. There must be no corruption, bribery, or other disgraceful acts because this programme is intended for those who have been marginalised and left behind in the development process,” he continued.

Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, echoed this sentiment, stating that the success of Sekolah Rakyat demonstrates that statistics can have a profound meaning for the children involved. She noted that the majority of students come from families in the first and second deciles of the DTSEN, which serves as feedback for BPS to improve data accuracy. “It turns out statistics are not just numbers; they can provide extraordinary meaning for our children at Sekolah Rakyat. Statistics can have an impact so they can have dreams for their future,” Amalia said.

There are currently five pilot Sekolah Rakyat operating in South Sumatra: SRMA 7 Palembang, SRT 31 Palembang, SRMA 8 Ogan Ilir, SRT 15 Empat Lawang, and SRMA 45 Ogan Komering Ulu. SRMA 7 Palembang alone currently accommodates 96 students, with 60 new prospective students for the upcoming academic year, all recruited through the DTSEN-based outreach mechanism. During the visit, Gus Ipul was treated to various student performances, including marching, traditional dances, karate, and multilingual speeches. He expressed pride in the students’ progress, acknowledging the dedication of the school’s head, teachers, and staff. A dialogue session also featured a parent, Widya Wati, who shared how her daughter had become more diligent in her studies and religious practices since joining the school. Gus Ipul stated that the life stories of these students, who have just gained access to education, are the very reason the Sekolah Rakyat programme exists, with graduates expected to either pursue higher education or become skilled workers.