West Java Regional Council Urges Development of Integrated 'Sekolah Rakyat' Campus

The West Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission V is pushing for the development of an integrated educational area to support the expansion of ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s School) in Bandung Regency, aiming to improve educational quality for children from low-income families.

Hasbullah Rahmad, a member of Commission V of the West Java DPRD, stated that the boarding-school concept of Sekolah Rakyat requires a specialised, conducive learning environment that is separate from public activities.

“For the time being, the facilities being used are quite representative. However, in the future, Sekolah Rakyat must have its own integrated area because the concept is a boarding school, which requires a more conducive learning environment that is not mixed with public activities,” Hasbullah said in a statement received in Bandung on Friday.

According to him, the current facilities, which include the use of assets owned by the Bandung Regency KONI (National Sports Committee) such as athlete dormitories and office buildings, are still capable of supporting teaching and learning activities in the initial stages.

Nevertheless, he noted that the existence of a permanent educational zone is considered an urgent necessity to support the learning process and the character building of students. He assessed that the development of Sekolah Rakyat is not merely about providing learning spaces, but is also part of an effort to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Consequently, the West Java DPRD has requested that the local government provide maximum support, particularly in the provision of educational infrastructure and facilities, to ensure that the quality of Sekolah Rakyat graduates can compete with those from general schools.

“We hope the local government will support this central government programme, especially in providing educational facilities. The output we wish to maintain is not just knowledge, but also the formation of character, morals, and ethics in students,” he added.

In addition to infrastructure issues, Commission V of the West Java DPRD also received aspirations regarding the welfare of educators. Although the recruitment of Sekolah Rakyat teachers falls under the authority of the central government through the Ministry of Social Affairs, the local government is deemed to still play a vital role in providing support for teaching staff.