Minister Inspects Surabaya People's School, Hails Improved Learning Progress
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, attended an Open House event for parents and prospective students at Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Atas (SRMA) 21 in Surabaya, East Java, today.
The open house was organised to provide an opportunity for prospective students, parents, community leaders, and local government officials to directly observe the educational developments within the Sekolah Rakyat programme.
Gus Ipul noted that approximately 11 months of the 2025/2026 academic year have passed. Despite various challenges and dynamics, students have demonstrated significant progress.
“Alhamdulillah, after more than 10 months (of Sekolah Rakyat), the learning process is getting better; the children are becoming more disciplined, more confident, their enthusiasm for learning has increased, and their growth and health are also improving,” Gus Ipul stated in a written release on Friday (26/06/2026).
Arriving at the location around 2:30 PM WIB, Gus Ipul was welcomed by various student performances from SRMA 21 Surabaya, including drill displays, hadrah, traditional dance, pencak silat, English and Arabic speeches, choir, and poetry.
The students competed to deliver their best performances with confidence and expression. Alongside watching the performances, Gus Ipul also engaged in dialogues with parents, current students, and prospective students.
One parent, Ita Fitriani, mother of SRMA 21 student Marsya Dwi Cahyani, expressed immense pride in her child during the dialogue with Gus Ipul.
“(Now) she is brave enough to perform; she is doing very well. Previously, she was very shy and withdrawn,” said Ita.
Marsya, who participated in the drill display, comes from a humble family living in the Semampir District, Surabaya. Her father, Siswandi, works as a construction labourer with an uncertain and modest income. Marsya had previously been forced to drop out of school, but she is now able to continue her education and pursue her ambitions through Sekolah Rakyat.
“I am very grateful that my child can attend Sekolah Rakyat. She had previously dropped out for over a year. She wants to become a doctor,” said Ita.
Echoing her mother’s sentiments, Marsya shared that after nearly two semesters in the programme, she has transformed into a better, more independent, and more disciplined individual.
“I am more disciplined, especially with my prayers, and I have also learned how to manage my time,” said Marsya.
The progress seen in Marsya and other students is attributed to the patience and commitment of the school principal, teachers, and educational staff in educating the Sekolah Rakyat students.
Also in attendance were the Regional Secretary of East Java, Adi Karyapo (representing the Governor), the Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of the University of Surabaya, Prof. Bachtiar S. Bachri, the Head of the East Java Social Affairs Office, Restu Novi Widiani, the Head of BPS East Java, Herum Fajarwati, and various special staff and experts from the Ministry of Social Affairs.