Ministry of Social Affairs Targets 30,000 New Students for Sekolah Rakyat Programme This Year

Jakarta – Social Affairs Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf announced that in 2026, the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) plans to admit 30,000 new students to the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) programme.

Saifullah stated that Kemensos is prepared to open student admissions for Sekolah Rakyat this year. “This year we plan to accommodate approximately 30,000 students. Added to the nearly 16,000 from last year, that brings us to 46,000,” said Saifullah when met at the Kemensos office in Salemba, Central Jakarta, on Monday (2 March 2026).

“Particularly for PKH facilitators so they can truly be consistent and professional in carrying out their duties,” he added.

Saifullah emphasised that the student selection process for Sekolah Rakyat must be clean and free from nepotism or bribery. “There must be no nepotism, no collusion, and no payment exchanges,” he stressed.

Regional leaders will subsequently submit the names of prospective Sekolah Rakyat students to the Ministry of Social Affairs. “After that, it is sent to regional heads – whether regents, mayors, or governors – to be submitted to us as Sekolah Rakyat students,” he explained.

Following this, Saifullah said his office would conduct checking and verification to ensure Sekolah Rakyat truly serves as an educational institution for the most disadvantaged children. “After we check once more and conduct verification and validation, if everything meets the requirements, we will designate them as Sekolah Rakyat students,” he clarified.