Minister: No favouritism allowed in selecting Sekolah Rakyat students

There must be no influence from any party; not from ministers, governors, regents, or mayors. The only individuals permitted to attend this school are those who meet the criteria identified by officials.

during an ‘Open House’ event with prospective parents of Sekolah Rakyat (SR) students in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Sunday, the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Saifullah Yusuf, stated that there should be no external interference in determining candidates for the upcoming academic year, as the programme is strictly intended for underprivileged families.

Saifullah noted that this stance aligns with the directives of President Prabowo Subianto, which prohibit bribery, payments, or the use of connections to secure placements in SR. “There must be no ‘titipan’; ministers, governors, regents, and mayors are not permitted to intervene. Only those who meet the criteria identified by officers are allowed to attend,” he said at the Sentra Abiseka Rumbai in Pekanbaru.

He explained that Sekolah Rakyat is dedicated to families who are less fortunate and economically disadvantaged, specifically those within Decile I or II of the welfare scale.

Furthermore, the programme aims to reach those who are out of school, have never attended school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out. Officials are tasked with reaching out to these families and discussing with parents whether they agree to their children being placed in the SR programme.

“Once agreement is reached, it will be processed by the regional head and then forwarded to the ministry for official designation as a Sekolah Rakyat student,” he added.

Consequently, he urged all parties involved in the administration of Sekolah Rakyat to perform their duties diligently. He called upon headmasters, teachers, and educational staff to work with empathy, compassion, and heart, while strictly adhering to the official guidelines provided.

“I am pleased that throughout the 11-month learning process, student progress is visible. This can be seen through the feedback from parents, as well as the fact that Sekolah Rakyat students are becoming more confident, disciplined, healthier, and most importantly, possess the spirit to pursue their ambitions,” Saifullah concluded.