Three Local Governments Prepare Land Infrastructure to Support Sekolah Rakyat Expansion

Jakarta — ANTARA — Three local governments, namely Kutai Kartanegara Regency (East Kalimantan), Sinjai Regency (South Sulawesi), and Kaimana Regency (West Papua), have expressed readiness to provide infrastructure ranging from land grants to accelerated physical development to support the expansion of the Sekolah Rakyat Programme.

The readiness was outlined by the respective regional leaders and elected representatives during an audience with Deputy Minister of Social Affairs (Wamensos) Afus Jabo Priyono at the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) office in Jakarta, on Thursday.

Regent of Kutai Kartanegara Aulia Rahman Basri reported that they have completed the legalities of the land donation covering seven hectares to Kemensos, which is now at the land area maturation stage.

‘The land site is very strategic because it has access to the main road and is located close to the settlements of poverty-affected residents who are the main targets of the programme,’ he said.

‘On the ground, progress has reached about 69.8 percent and there are four buildings that have roofs installed. The important thing is that by 14 July it should already be usable for teaching and learning,’ said Deputy Regent Andi Mahyanto.

On the other hand, Deputy Speaker III of the Kaimana DPRK, Dennis Yusuf Sawi, confirmed that land for the Papua Barat region is available, but faces geographical challenges as it consists of swamp.

He proposed support with a recommendation from Kemensos to speed up the land embankment process together with the Public Works Ministry (PU).

He added that the central government under Kemensos continues to drive the construction of this educational infrastructure. This year there are 104 permanent Sekolah Rakyat sites prepared to replace pilot schools, and the government is assured to add 143 new sites in the 2026 fiscal year.

‘Please convey to the respective regents to prepare good land. This is important because the Sekolah Rakyat programme is a core instrument of the President’s priority to break the transmission of poverty early through education,’ asserted Wamensos Afus Jabo Priyono.