Social Minister Reports President 53 Locations Ready To Hold People's Schools

JAKARTA - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf reported to President Prabowo Subianto about 53 locations in a number of areas that are ready to organize people's school programs.

But Gus Ipul, Saifullah Yusuf's nickname, said that the number could continue to grow because the ministry would continue to coordinate within the next two to three days.

"We report that as of today there are more than 50 locations, 53 exact locations, which are ready to organize this people's school. However, the data continues to grow because in the next two three days, we will coordinate with the governor, with the regent, with the mayor, where the preparations we are making are parallel," the Minister of Social Affairs told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Monday, March 10.

According to the Minister of Social Affairs, President Prabowo asked the people's school program to continue to be finalized and must cover as many regions as possible.

"In principle, the President asked what we had planned to continue to be finalized, followed up, and as many regions as possible could participate in this first opportunity," said Gus Ipul.

President Prabowo today chaired a limited meeting, one of which discussed the people's school program which is scheduled to start running in the 2025 '2026 school year.

The meetings included discussing school locations, curriculum, facilities and infrastructure, as well as student admission mechanisms.

Gus Ipul explained that the implementation of the people's school program is not only focused on the curriculum, but also ensures infrastructure readiness.

He explained that selected schools must meet the eligibility requirements, including the availability of dormitories, classrooms, places of worship, canteens, and sports facilities.

"Yes, that's why I call 53 (locations) because it is considered that the dormitory or building is sufficient. The building is sufficient, there are for schools, there are for dormitories, there are places for worship, there are places to eat, there are places for sports, and other things needed," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

The location of the people's schools is planned to be spread in various regions, including East Java, West Java, Central Java, East Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, and Papua.

Then, two universities, namely Universitas Brawijaya Malang and Universitas Negeri Surabaya have also stated their commitment to support the implementation of the people's school program.

Meanwhile, Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti said that the admission of students to public schools would refer to the National Sole Social Economic Data (DTSEN), especially from the welfare status of the Desil 1 and Desil 2 groups, which are the people with the most vulnerable economic conditions.

The Head of BPS also said that of the 53 locations that had been chosen for the people's school program, most were in areas that needed schools and had a high number of underprivileged people.

"So, this is very much in line with the data in BPS," said Amalia.

Gus Ipul, then continued that the government continued to consolidate regarding the budget needs for the construction and renovation of public school facilities.

"The president asked us to continue to consolidate, as hard as we can and whatever we can. This is part of glorifying the poor and at the same time encouraging the rise of the little people to occur towards Indonesia Gold in 2045," he said.

The current process, continued Gus Ipul, is that several related ministries discuss important aspects of the program, ranging from curriculum, recruitment of teaching staff, facilities and infrastructure, supervision, to governance.

In the next few weeks, the government will announce a clearer scheme regarding the number of students per school and budget allocations.

"God willing, within the next one to two weeks, hopefully the picture will be clearer," said Gus Ipul.