Social Affairs Minister Targets Completion of Permanent People's Junior High School in Kupang by July 2026

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) has set a target for the permanent building of People’s Junior High School 19 Kupang in Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to be completed and operational by July 2026. Currently, construction progress has reached 72 per cent.

“The construction of the permanent People’s Junior High School 19 Kupang in Kupang Regency is currently 72 per cent complete and targeted for use by July 2026. This is not a dream—it is being built and will soon be used by our children,” said Gus Ipul while attending the National Senior Citizens Day (HLUN) 2026 ceremony at the El Tari Hall, NTT Provincial Government Office, on Sunday, 31 May 2026.

Gus Ipul praised the Kupang Regency Government for providing the land for the SRMP 19 Kupang building. He stated that the government aims for each regency or city to have at least one permanent People’s School building with a capacity of 1,000 students.

During the event, Gus Ipul expressed being moved by the progress of SRMP 19 Kupang students. He claimed that the existence of People’s Schools demonstrates the state’s presence for children from poor and vulnerable families.

“Street children, farm labourers’ children, fishermen’s children, rickshaw drivers’ children—they all have the right to receive proper education and a better future,” said Gus Ipul.

Filipina Agustina Kale, head of SRMP 19 Kupang, said the school accommodates 100 extremely poor students from 24 districts in Kupang Regency. She stated that students unable to read and write receive special assistance from teachers.

“When they first enrolled, 27 students could not read or write properly. However, thanks to daily intensive guidance from teachers and education staff, only one student remains under special assistance,” Agustina explained.

According to Agustina, teachers at People’s Schools are not merely educators; they also act as parental figures for students living in dormitories.

“Academic teaching may be straightforward, but guiding students facing social and economic challenges requires patience and sincerity. We are here for them day and night,” she added.