Prabowo Instructs Cabinet Secretary Teddy to Address Capacity Issues in 'Sekolah Rakyat'

President Prabowo Subianto has requested that the Cabinet Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya, coordinate with ministries and agencies to seek additional facilities to accommodate the increasing number of students enrolled in the ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s School) programme.

Prabowo made this request during a visit to the Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Pertama (SRMP) 17 Tabanan in Bali on Sunday (7/6/2026), after receiving a report from the Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, stating that applicants for the programme in Bali have exceeded 400. This is significantly higher than the current capacity of approximately 270 students.

“I believe almost everyone who applies should be accepted. We must find a way,” said Prabowo.

To address the capacity limitations, Prabowo instructed Teddy to coordinate with other ministries and agencies to identify assets or facilities that could be utilised temporarily until the construction of permanent schools is completed. “Perhaps the Cabinet Secretary can coordinate with other ministries and agencies. Look for existing facilities that may not be optimally utilised. They could be borrowed temporarily until the permanent school is finished,” he stated.

During the same visit, Prabowo also pushed for the accelerated expansion of ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ in Bali. This follows the discovery that there is currently only one such school serving students from all regencies and cities across the island. “Only one? Okay. This means we must increase them as quickly as possible,” Prabante said.

He noted that local governments could play a role in providing land for the construction of new schools, but added that the central government is prepared to assist with land provision if necessary. “Regents will endeavour to handle this. If it is not possible, the central government will provide and source the land,” Prabowo added.

Meanwhile, Saifullah Yusuf, popularly known as Gus Ipul, explained that the Sekolah Rakyat in Tabanan currently operates on land provided by the Bali Provincial Government. Consequently, the school is able to accept students from across the entire Bali region. He stated that the government aims to establish ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ in all areas of Bali, with a scheme of one school per regency and one per city.