Prabowo Expands Strategic Education Programmes Through Sekolah Rakyat

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is expanding strategic education programmes inherited from the previous administration through the introduction of Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools), in an effort to accelerate equitable education access across Indonesia.

Teddy stated that no education programmes running during the administration of Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo, have been discontinued, including the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (Smart Indonesia Card) scheme, which continues to operate.

“In fact, no strategic education programmes from the previous period have ceased operation. No programmes from the previous period have been halted. All are continuing. All are continuing, and even expanding. The Kartu Indonesia Pintar is operating. President Prabowo has even added People’s Schools,” Teddy said while providing a statement at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday.

Teddy explained that Sekolah Rakyat is intended for children unable to access formal education, including school dropouts and those who have never attended school.

He stated that students receive not only free education but also accommodation facilities, nutritional support, and healthcare assurance.

“Children who cannot attend school, who have dropped out of school, or who may have never attended school, are enrolled in People’s Schools,” he said.

Over the past year, the programme has reached approximately 16,000 to 22,000 students across 166 schools.

“This year, 100 additional schools will be constructed,” he added.

In addition to launching Sekolah Rakyat, the President is also establishing Sekolah Garuda (Eagle Schools) integrated with new campuses to develop superior human resources, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

“No programmes have been discontinued. All programmes are continuing and even expanding,” Teddy said.