Social Minister Pushes for Accelerated People's Schools in Gorontalo and Pagar Alam
Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) received an audience from Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail and Pagar Alam Mayor Ludi Oliansyah at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Central Jakarta. The meeting discussed the acceleration of the construction of People’s Schools in Gorontalo and Pagar Alam.
Gus Ipul emphasised that the People’s Schools are a strategic government programme to reach poor and extremely poor communities who have not previously been touched by educational services.
“This is what the President is targeting, not those who are already in school. But those who have dropped out and those without access. We want to ensure they have a future,” said Gus Ipul in a written statement on Tuesday (21/4/2026).
He explained that the concept of People’s Schools differs from formal schools in general. The system uses a boarding school approach with a multi-entry-multi-exit scheme, allowing students to enter at any time without waiting for the new academic year.
According to him, this approach is important because many children from poor families are forced to stop schooling to help their parents. With the boarding system, children can focus on learning without the burden of family economic pressures.
According to him, the boarding system is important for children so they can focus more on learning without being burdened by family economic pressures. Because not a few children are forced to stop school to help meet the family’s economic needs.
“If not boarded, they often return to work helping their parents. This is what we are changing. Children must become an investment for the future, not a short-term source of income,” he stressed.
In addition, Gus Ipul stated that the government is targeting a significant increase in the number of People’s Schools students. In 2026, it is targeted to reach 46,000 students, and continue to increase to hundreds of thousands in the coming years.
He emphasised that the success of this programme greatly depends on the readiness of the regions, especially in providing clean and clear land. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening data as the basis for determining programme targets.
According to him, the role of village operators is key because they are the spearhead of data collection in the field.
“Data is the key. The ones who know the conditions of the residents best are the villages. Therefore, village operators must be strengthened so that the data we use is truly accurate, up-to-date, and accountable,” he added.
On the same occasion, Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail stated his region’s readiness to support the programme, including providing land. Currently, the Gorontalo Provincial Government has prepared around 3 hectares of land and is adding to the shortfall so that construction can start immediately.
“We are ready to support the acceleration. The land is being completed so that it can enter the construction stage soon,” said Gusnar.
Meanwhile, Pagar Alam Mayor Ludi Oliansyah also conveyed a similar commitment. He affirmed that the Pagar Alam City Government is ready to provide more than 6 hectares of land and support the construction of access infrastructure to the People’s Schools location.
“We are ready from the land and access road side. Our hope is that People’s Schools will also be present in Pagar Alam because there are still many poor communities who need it,” Ludi concluded.