W Java (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Social Affairs Ministry and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) agreed on Thursday to apply domestic research and technology to improve the operations of People’s Schools (Sekolah Rakyat).
The agreement was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed by Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf and BRIN Head Arif Satria at the auditorium of Integrated People’s School 1 in Bekasi, West Java.
“We really need BRIN’s support to improve and strengthen the governance of People’s Schools,” Yusuf said, adding that the ministry had signed a similar agreement with the Defense University a day earlier.
The partnership will introduce locally developed innovations, including waste-processing technology, clean water solutions for around 14 People’s School sites, and locally made rubber-based shoes for students in the new academic year.
Beyond infrastructure, BRIN will conduct research and evaluate teaching and learning processes to help improve education quality and make the program more inclusive.
People’s Schools were established to expand educational access for children from low-income families, prioritizing those in the bottom two socioeconomic deciles, as well as school dropouts and children who have never attended school.
Since its launch more than a year ago, the program has enrolled more than 44,000 elementary, junior high, and senior high school students, supported by more than 10,000 teachers and education personnel.
Permanent school buildings are now available at 93 sites, with more than 60 additional sites targeted for construction this year.
The government aims to provide permanent People’s School facilities in every region, each with a capacity of more than 2,000 students.
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Translator: Pradita Kurniawan S, Martha Herlinawati Simanjunta
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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