People's Schools Temporarily 'Half-Idle', Public Works Minister Acknowledges Initial Project Issues

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo revealed that the construction of People’s Schools initially faced serious delays, causing the project to run like a ‘half-idle’ initiative. However, he assured that construction is being expedited to ensure all facilities are ready for the new academic year in July 2026, with the government targeting completion by end-June 2026. Dody explained that as of 20 May 2026, the average construction progress of the People’s Schools had reached 58%, with daily improvements. In some locations, progress increased by 1-2% each day. ‘So, God willing, it will be finished by end-June,’ Dody said on Wednesday (27 May 2026). He estimated that 88 out of 93 People’s Schools sites would be completed on time, though previous delays had exceeded expectations. Dody stated he had taken firm action by dismissing several parties involved in the issues and now personally monitors daily construction progress. All project officials at each site are required to submit progress reports by 16:00 WIB daily. According to Dody, regions with the lowest construction progress include Singkawang, Cilacap, Darmasraya, North Lombok, and Brebes. Meanwhile, the highest construction progress is in Salatiga, Semarang, Bengkulu, Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), and Medan. Amid efforts to accelerate the project, Dody stressed that building quality remains a top priority and will not be compromised to meet deadlines. ‘The People’s Schools initiative is President’s idea to eradicate extreme poverty and prepare a golden generation for Indonesia Emas 2045,’ Dody said. He added that the People’s Schools are designed to high standards, comparable to Indonesia’s best boarding schools, with facilities including uniforms, laptops, and quality teaching staff. However, Dody expressed disappointment over ‘uncommendable practices’ during the project’s initial phase.