Minister of Home Affairs Tito Performs Groundbreaking for People's School in Biak Numfor Regency
The Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a People’s School in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. This moment marks the Ministry of Home Affairs’ commitment to supporting the implementation of the President’s priority programmes.
According to Tito, President Prabowo Subianto holds a deep concern for the underprivileged, which is manifested in the development policy of the People’s School. This policy stems from the President’s concern for abandoned children, aligning with the mandate of the 1945 Constitution, Article 34, Clause (1), which states that the poor and abandoned children shall be cared for by the state.
“The President’s idea emerged: ‘We must care for abandoned children.’ One way to do this is by providing them with schooling so they do not end up begging or scavenging like their parents. They must move up the social ladder, and that is the responsibility of the state,” Tito stated in a written release on Saturday (1/8/2026).
He explained that the People’s School falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The programme targets abandoned children from underprivileged communities, specifically those in deciles 1 and 2. The school is designed as a boarding facility, with all educational costs fully covered by the state.
In addition to providing supporting facilities and the best teaching staff, the development of the People’s School is coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs is tasked with coordinating local governments to support the programme’s implementation, including through land provision.
However, the Minister of Home Affairs acknowledged that not all regions have immediately responded to the programme. In Papua Province, he noted that only a few areas have shown readiness from the outset.
“One of the proactive leaders is the Regent of Biak… If he had not prepared this, it would not have happened. In Papua itself, only three have welcomed this: Jayapura, Sarmi, and Biak,” he added.
Tito further noted that President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated 166 People’s Schools simultaneously from Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, in January 2026. Following that inauguration, the construction of People’s Schools continues across various regions, managed by the Ministry of Public Works using the same building prototype.
On this occasion, he invited regional heads across the Papua region to support the People’s School programme. He stated that the programme is a strategic step in expanding educational access and providing opportunities for children from underprivileged families to secure a better future.
“I also feel proud to be able to perform the groundbreaking here… I am grateful and honoured,” he concluded.