Reminder on People's School Student Admission Process, Social Minister: No Registration Required
Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) has emphasised that the People’s School does not open registrations. The programme employs a direct outreach mechanism based on the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN) to ensure it precisely targets children from underprivileged families.
This message was conveyed during an audience with the Regent of Pesawaran, Nanda Indira Bastian, and the Regent of Ogan Komering Ulu, Teddy Meilwansyah, in the Minister’s meeting room at the Ministry of Social Affairs building in Central Jakarta on Monday (13/4).
“There is no opening of registrations. Remember, everyone must understand this. The data (for prospective students) is reached through deciles 1 and 2 (DTSEN) in the respective areas, with field verification by Family Hope Programme (PKH) assistants, BPS, and local governments (Pemda). So the People’s School has no registration; what exists is outreach,” said Gus Ipul in a written statement on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
The verification results must subsequently obtain approval from the parents of prospective students and the regional heads before being officially determined by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Gus Ipul stressed that the accuracy of the process at the regional level is a crucial factor in determining the programme’s success.
“If the Regent is wrong, we are wrong. If the Regent is right, we are right. But from the start of the process, we are involved in overseeing it,” explained Gus Ipul.
Gus Ipul also emphasised that the People’s School is part of an integrated strategy for poverty alleviation. The programme not only targets children but is also intended to strengthen the social and economic conditions of their families.
According to him, children participating in education at the People’s School will be accompanied by empowerment programmes for their parents. Forms of support include home improvements, access to the Red and White Village Cooperative, and health insurance through the PBI JKN scheme. With this approach, families are expected to improve their living standards and no longer rely on social assistance.
“So when the child graduates from the People’s School, the parents move up a class and (become independent) no longer receive social aid,” said Gus Ipul.
He added that graduates of the People’s School will be directed to continue their education to higher education institutions or become skilled workers according to their respective potentials. “They must not be idle. If idle, the People’s School fails,” he said.
Currently, the construction of permanent People’s Schools is said to be underway at more than 100 locations across various regions. The programme is intended for around 4 million children in Indonesia who are not yet in school, out of school, or have dropped out, including in Pesawaran and Ogan Komering Ulu Regencies.
In its implementation, the People’s School also does not apply academic tests. The selection process is conducted through health tests and talent mapping to identify students’ potentials from an early stage, both in social fields, science and technology, and languages.
Facilities prepared include dormitories, free nutritious meals, school supplies, and digital learning support. Each student and teacher is also provided with laptops, while classrooms are equipped with digital whiteboards or smartboards.
“This is not an ordinary school but part of poverty alleviation,” concluded Gus Ipul.
Meanwhile, Pesawaran Regent Nanda Indira Bastian welcomed the People’s School programme positively. She hopes her region can become a priority for the programme’s implementation, given the many children from underprivileged families who have not yet obtained proper and quality educational access.
“Certainly, Mr Minister, for the land for construction (of the People’s School), Insya Allah we are ready. We have already sent the proposal,” said Nanda.
Ogan Komering Ulu Regent Teddy Meilwansyah also stated the local government’s readiness to use the Regional Budget (APBD) to support the construction of the People’s School in accordance with the standards of the Ministry of Public Works.
“If land equalisation (for People’s School construction) is needed, we are ready to use our own funds so that it can meet the standards from the Public Works Unit. We also request support from the Minister, hopefully it can run in October and our children from OKU can be accommodated because the interest is high,” said Teddy.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister’s Expert Staff for Planning and Strategic Policy Evaluation, Andy Kurniawan, Head of the General Bureau of the Ministry of Social Affairs Salahuddin Yahya, and Head of the Centre for Social Welfare Data and Information of the Ministry of Social Affairs Joko Widiarto.
From the Pesawaran Regency Government, Head of Bappeda Adhytia Hidayat and Head of Social Services M. Zuriadi were present. Meanwhile, from the Ogan Komering Ulu Regency Government, Assistant III for General Administration Romson Fitri and Head of Social Services Iwarman attended.