Social Affairs Minister Calls on All Units to Ensure Optimal Operation of 'Sekolah Rakyat'

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, has called on all units within the Ministry of Social Affairs to collaborate in ensuring the optimal operation of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) programme. Speaking during an internal meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday, the minister stressed that the initiative is a collective responsibility requiring integrated contributions from every unit.

“When we discuss Sekolah Rakyat, it is fundamentally the business of all units. There are children who need rehabilitation because they have specific problems, and the school also requires empowerment, which is part of a series of social protection and security measures,” Gus Ipul stated.

He emphasised the importance of building awareness across all departments to follow up on the directive from President Prabowo Subianto. The programme is designed as a comprehensive poverty alleviation tool, based on the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN). While children receive free boarding education, their families will simultaneously receive integrated interventions, including social protection, security, and empowerment programmes to facilitate their graduation from poverty.

Gus Ipul also revealed plans for significant expansion, noting that the President has set a target to increase the number of school buildings to 250 by next year. He urged his staff to conduct meticulous planning, particularly regarding the recruitment process for new students and the procurement of goods. “Planning must be precise. There can be no guesswork in procurement; everything must be accurate and reflect the reality on the ground,” he warned.

Beyond the Sekolah Rakyat programme, the meeting also addressed preparations for 2027, including the digitalisation of social assistance (bansos), updating the DTSEN, and the graduation process for Beneficiary Families (KPM). The meeting was attended by Vice Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono, Secretary General Robben Rico, and other senior officials.