Social Minister Oversees Construction of People's Schools in East OKU and Sambas
Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) is encouraging the Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) East Regency Government to immediately construct a People’s School. This is because President Prabowo Subianto’s free education programme is highly beneficial for breaking the chain of poverty.
The statement was delivered by Gus Ipul when receiving an audience from the Regent of East OKU, H Lanosin, and the Regent of Sambas, Satono, at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Central Jakarta. Also present at the meeting was Deputy Social Minister Agus Jabo Priyono.
“Because the President honours the residents of the Regents who are in Decile 1 and Decile 2. If the (People’s School) programme is not welcomed, it would be a loss,” said Gus Ipul, quoted from a press release on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
“This is already good, it must be realised (the People’s School in East OKU). I will oversee this,” he added emphatically.
Gus Ipul explained that there are various requirements that must be met by local governments in the process of proposing the construction of a People’s School. One of them is that the prepared land must have a minimum area of 7 hectares.
In addition, the status of the proposed land must also be clean and clear, with a certificate and not disputed land, owned by the regional government, not prone to disasters, and easily accessible by road. “The requirements must be fulfilled first,” he stated.
Gus Ipul said that children attending school at the People’s School will receive the best facilities, starting from nutritious meals three times a day, snacks twice a day, 8 sets of uniforms, free health checks, to laptops.
While pursuing education at the People’s School, the students will also live in dormitories. “Those who can attend school there are residents of East OKU, not others,” he clarified.
He also welcomed the readiness of the Sambas Regency Government in submitting land for the construction of a People’s School. “The important thing is to include this in the third phase in October 2026,” explained Gus Ipul.
Furthermore, Gus Ipul reminded that the implementation of the People’s School programme must run fairly and be free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN) practices.
“So it must be responded to, local governments cannot be left alone; they must be addressed, and there should be no KKN,” said Gus Ipul in reminder.
Meanwhile, the Regent of East OKU, H Lanosin, affirmed that his side will support the implementation of this programme. He mentioned that the East OKU Regency Government has prepared land of 9.6 hectares for the construction of a permanent People’s School in its area. “Whatever the requirements, we are ready to implement the People’s School,” stated Lanosin.
The same was expressed by the Regent of Sambas, Satono. He revealed that his local government has shown seriousness by submitting a proposal for organising the People’s School.
“First, we submitted the proposal directly around May last year, and the land certificate is not just today; previously there was already a certificate,” said Satono.
He explained that the location of the People’s School is planned to be in Jagur, Sambas, with a land area of 9.33 hectares. The land is deemed technically ready, with the availability of clean water facilities and relatively flat terrain conditions.