Makassar (ANTARA) – Some 1,000 prospective students of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program are currently undergoing what the government describes as a rehabilitation process, which includes equivalency education, before entering formal schooling under the tuition-free program.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday that Sekolah Rakyat is expected to reach 45,000 children from underprivileged families by this year, with around 44,000 already enrolled.
“Meanwhile, the other 1,000 are currently undergoing a rehabilitation process at the Social Affairs Ministry’s centers, whose buildings have also been designated as pilot facilities for Sekolah Rakyat,” he remarked.
Yusuf emphasized that the rehabilitation phase is especially important for beneficiary children facing significant underlying challenges, including health issues and learning difficulties.
He further explained that some incoming students are unable to read despite being of junior or senior high school age. The minister also pointed to children aged 17 to 18 who have never received formal education.
He assured the public that the equivalency process would proceed alongside efforts to develop the facilities and infrastructure needed for the program to ensure optimal services for beneficiary children, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive.
Regarding physical construction, Yusuf said the Social Affairs Ministry is collaborating with the Public Works Ministry and other partners to build 100 permanent school buildings for the flagship program.
He reported that Sekolah Rakyat is already operating at 93 permanent sites, supported by 82 existing facilities designated as pilot or temporary schools. Construction of the remaining seven permanent schools is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
“The president wants every permanent Sekolah Rakyat complex constructed in districts and cities to accommodate no fewer than 2,000 students from elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels,” he added.
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Translator: M. Riezko, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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