Social Affairs Minister Gus Ipul Issues Directives Ahead of New Student Orientation for Sekolah Rakyat

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, has issued special directives ahead of the implementation of the Masa Pengenalan Lingkungan Sekolah (MPLS) for Sekolah Rakyat on 14 July 2026. Gus Ipul stated that all work units must work hand in hand to ensure the new student orientation at various Sekolah Rakyat locations runs smoothly. “Because this is in the interest of the entire Ministry of Social Affairs, not just the responsibility of one party. Everyone must know, everyone must be involved, everyone must listen, and everyone must contribute,” said Gus Ipul while chairing a coordination meeting on the readiness of the Sekolah Rakyat MPLS at the Ministry of Social Affairs office on Thursday, 2 July 2026. The meeting discussed four clusters of readiness. The first cluster addressed the physical readiness, infrastructure, and equipment at Sekolah Rakyat. The second cluster discussed the migration and recruitment of students. The third cluster covered the readiness of school principals, teachers, and education personnel. The fourth cluster discussed the readiness for the implementation of the Sekolah Rakyat MPLS. In addition to work units within the Ministry of Social Affairs, Gus Ipul also requested that heads of centres oversee the process of transferring students from the Sekolah Rakyat Rintisan to the Sekolah Rakyat Permanen. He also reminded them to maintain the facilities left behind at the previous locations. “Do not let chairs, benches, and other equipment left there become damaged. All of it must be maintained. Do not let anything go missing,” he said. The Sekolah Rakyat MPLS will be held from 14 to 31 July 2026. Following that, a matriculation period is scheduled to take place from 3 August to 30 September 2026. The series of MPLS activities will include school introductions, health checks, an introduction to the rules, character-building activities, and other supporting activities. Gus Ipul delivered six directives to strengthen the readiness for the implementation of the Sekolah Rakyat MPLS. First, reactivate the Sekber Sekolah Rakyat and related work units and ensure the readiness for the transfer from Sekolah Rakyat Rintisan to Sekolah Rakyat Permanen and the implementation of MPLS with a target date of 14 July 2026. Second, carry out a comprehensive simulation of the transfer from Sekolah Rakyat Rintisan to Sekolah Rakyat Permanen, starting with a trial at one Sekolah Rakyat Permanen location before being applied to all schools. Third, accelerate the distribution of school equipment and the procurement of new student supplies and ensure there are no delays or irregularities in the procurement process. Fourth, enhance coordination with the Ministry of Public Works regarding the transfer of knowledge on managing the facilities and infrastructure of Sekolah Rakyat Permanen, including electricity, clean water, building security, and other supporting facilities. Fifth, reactivate the Control Task Force to address obstacles ahead of 14 July, prepare risk mitigation, and ensure every Sekolah Rakyat location has a person in charge monitoring readiness. Sixth, map out additional budget requirements, if necessary, to support the implementation of Sekolah Rakyat. Gus Ipul also requested that all ranks get involved in the process. “I hope everyone gets involved. Turun tangan, not tangan turun. Turun tangan,” he said.