Minister Gus Ipul Invites SP2MI to Help Update Data for 'Sekolah Rakyat' Programme

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, has invited the Indonesian Community Education Activists Union (SP2MI) to play a role in expanding access to proper education through the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) programme. He made the appeal while delivering a keynote speech at the SP2MI National Gathering at the Sasonobudoyo Building, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), on Thursday (25/6/2026). “On this good occasion, I invite you all to participate in updating the data. If you find students who have not been recorded, you can help update the data through the channels we have established,” he said. Gus Ipul also expressed appreciation for the education activists’ contributions in assisting children who have not had the opportunity to attend school. “I am delighted to be among Indonesia’s education fighters. Volunteers who have chosen a path to help, to comb through school-age children who are not in school, have never been to school, or have dropped out,” he stated. He noted that the issue of out-of-school children remains a significant challenge that must be addressed collectively, with data showing more than four million school-age children are not in education. “Meanwhile, the data shows that over 4 million school-age children are not in school, have never attended school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out. This is our shared homework, and you have chosen to help them,” he explained. Gus Ipul outlined that President Prabowo Subianto has given the Ministry of Social Affairs three mandates: updating the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), distributing social assistance accurately, and organising Sekolah Rakyat. He stressed that all these programmes must begin with accurate data to ensure government interventions truly reach those in need. He emphasised that Sekolah Rakyat does not use a conventional registration mechanism but instead prioritises an outreach approach to children from poor and extremely poor families. “Sekolah Rakyat does not open registration. It conducts outreach. We do not open registration but instead reach out to those in Desil 1 and 2, the poorest families,” he added. Gus Ipul believes SP2MI and its network of community education institutions are strategically positioned to help identify and assist prospective Sekolah Rakyat students across various regions. He hopes the synergy between the Ministry of Social Affairs and SP2MI can be strengthened through collaboration with the ministry’s Family Hope Programme (PKH) facilitators, who are spread throughout Indonesia. “We have over 30,000 PKH facilitators across Indonesia, some of whom may already be in contact with you. I hope that in the future, Mr Amirudin and colleagues can cooperate with our PKH facilitators in various locations,” he said. Gus Ipul also opened the door for broader cooperation between the Ministry of Social Affairs and SP2MI to support the implementation of Sekolah Rakyat and address the issue of out-of-school children through various community education programmes. “I really hope we can work together. Mr Amirudin can collaborate with the Ministry of Social Affairs team handling Sekolah Rakyat. We will find ways to help. Afterwards, I will convey to Abdul Mu’ti, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, about what programmes we can synergise,” he stated. Meanwhile, SP2MI Chairman Amirudin affirmed that his organisation shares a common mission with the Ministry of Social Affairs, as it actively assists community groups that have not optimally accessed education. He explained that SP2MI members come from various regions and are largely involved in equivalency education programmes such as Paket A, Paket B, and Paket C, giving them experience in reaching children outside the formal education system. The event was attended by SP2MI members from various regions across Indonesia, managers of Community Learning Centres (PKBM), Community Reading Gardens (TBM), and self-funded early childhood education centres from 12 provinces, as well as academics and government partners in community education. At the end of the event, Amirudin presented a special participant pin to Gus Ipul. The atmosphere became lively as Gus Ipul and hundreds of participants simultaneously chanted the three main principles of Sekolah Rakyat: “Reaching the Unreachable, Making the Impossible Possible, and Honouring the Common People.”