Over 4 Million Children Out of School, Social Affairs Minister Accelerates 'Sekolah Rakyat' Outreach

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has invited the Indonesian Community Education Mobilisers Union (SP2MI) to participate in reaching children who are not in school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out, so they can access education through the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) programme. Speaking at the SP2MI National Gathering in Jakarta, Saifullah said the involvement of community education networks is necessary to ensure children from poor and extremely poor families are not overlooked in data collection or programme outreach. “On this occasion, I invite all of you to be involved in updating the data. If you find students who have not been recorded, you can help update it through the channels we have established,” Saifullah said. He expressed his appreciation for the dedication of education volunteers who have been actively 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 the path of helping and scouring for school-age children who are not in school, have never been in school, or have dropped out,” he said. Saifullah revealed that the issue of out-of-school children remains a significant challenge in Indonesia. According to government data, there are currently more than four million school-age children who are not in school, have never attended school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out. “This is our collective homework, and you have chosen to help these children,” he stated. He explained that President Prabowo Subianto has given three main mandates to the Ministry of Social Affairs: updating the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN), distributing social assistance accurately, and implementing the Sekolah Rakyat programme.