Social Minister states People's School prioritises dropouts

Surabaya (ANTARA) - Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf stated that the People’s School programme prioritises out-of-school children and extremely poor families through a direct outreach system to expand access to dormitory-based education in various regions of Indonesia.

“People’s School does not open registrations; we reach out, so the priority is reaching out to children who are not in school, have not started school, dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out,” said Saifullah Yusuf in Surabaya on Sunday.

Gus Ipul explained that People’s School differs from regular schools by implementing a dormitory concept and focusing on children from the poorest first and second deciles.

He said that some People’s School students are older than average because they previously experienced long periods of dropping out.

“Many of these people’s school students were formerly street performers, beggars, or scavengers; they did not continue their education, and some even never went to school,” he stated.

He mentioned that there are high school-level (SMA) students who cannot yet read, so teachers must provide intensive support.

“He can’t read yet. This is the challenge in people’s school that teachers must address as best they can,” he said.

Gus Ipul noted that People’s School teachers are selected through a rigorous process so they can support students with varying academic conditions.

This year, more than 400 students graduated from People’s School, including 11 high school-level students projected to continue to university or become skilled workers.

“If they pass the exam later, their options are two: to continue to university, which will be supported by the government for scholarships, or to become skilled workers,” he said.

He added that People’s School graduates are also prepared to become agents of change to help improve their families’ welfare in the future.