South Sulawesi's 'Sekolah Rakyat' Orientation Delayed by Water Supply Issues

The school orientation period (MPLS) for ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ in South Sulawesi is facing delays due to difficulties in meeting the water supply needs for the schools’ operations. The MPLS is not being held simultaneously because of inadequate infrastructure, leading to varying schedules across the nine Sekolah Rakyat that already have permanent buildings. “The main reason for the MPLS delays is water issues. Almost all delays are due to water problems, because there isn’t enough usable water, and the local water utility (PDAM) also cannot distribute water because the buildings are extraordinarily large,” said Head of the South Sulawesi Social Services Agency, Malik Faisal, in Makassar on Wednesday. He added that some schools have postponed their orientation until August and that this delay is occurring evenly across Indonesia. Malik stated that preparations are ongoing, particularly regarding supporting facilities and the addition of teaching staff, as the number of students increases in the second year of intake. Meanwhile, the Head of the Wajo Sekolah Rakyat, Asri, confirmed that the water supply issue is a key obstacle for the MPLS scheduled for the end of the month. As a mitigation measure, the school is preparing to use water tankers from the local water utility to supplement its shallow well. The Wajo school currently has 95 students and is set to receive 270 more, with 90 students per level across elementary, junior high, and senior high schools. Asri noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs has conducted direct outreach to residents’ homes for student recruitment. Preparations for dormitories, classrooms, and the canteen are underway, with a focus on student comfort and safety. The school has also coordinated with the Education Agency to procure 18 guest teachers to meet teaching needs across the different education levels.