BNI strengthens support for the People's School Program, encourages national education equity

JAKARTA - PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI has emphasized its role in supporting national education equity through active involvement in the People's School Program, one of the government's priority programs. This support includes strengthening the inclusive financial services ecosystem and modern, transparent, and digital-based administrative governance of education.

The People's School program was launched directly by President Prabowo Subianto at the Integrated People's School 9 Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Monday, January 12. The launch was attended by the Red and White Cabinet Ministers, heads of ministries/institutions, as well as representatives of SOEs, including BNI Institutional Director Eko Setyo Nugroho.

In his speech, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the People's School Program is a strategic step for the government to ensure that every child of the nation has the right to a decent education, without being constrained by economic background or the area where they live.

"Thank you all. We have realized this effort through the People's School Program. I frankly feel happy and quite touched to see the real impact of this joint effort," said Prabowo.

The President assessed that the People's School was an important instrument in strengthening social justice and encouraging equitable development in various regions. According to Prabowo, education is the main key to breaking the chain of poverty and creating sustainable social mobility for Indonesia's younger generation.

"We are a country to improve the lives of all Indonesian people, not just a few people. That is the purpose of being a country," said Prabowo.

In front of the President, Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf reported that, until the beginning of 2026, the People's School Program had been operating in 166 points in 34 provinces. The details include 70 points in Java, 35 in Sumatra, 28 in Sulawesi, 13 in Kalimantan, seven in Maluku, six in Papua, and seven in Bali and Nusa Tenggara. This program serves 15,954 students with the support of 2,218 teachers and 4,889 educators.

"Everything we report is part of an effort to follow up on the President's direction because the people's school is basically the direct idea of President Prabowo," said Gus Ipul.

As a strategic partner, BNI contributes to strengthening the operational of People's Schools through the provision of Agen46 Mini Bank, Bank Sampah, opening student accounts, and Student Card based on reader for electronic attendance.

BNI has also prepared a system for managing the distribution of funds from the Ministry of Social Affairs to schools, teacher payroll, partner transactions (catering and laundry), and a school finance monitoring dashboard that is all cashless through QRIS and BNIdirect.

BNI Institutional Director Eko Setyo Nugroho emphasized that the support aims to provide inclusive financial services while encouraging accountable education governance.

"Through this support, BNI wants to ensure that the administration of education at the People's School is modern, transparent, and efficient," said Eko.

Examples of implementation can be seen at the 9 Banjarbaru People's School which is equipped with learning and supporting facilities, such as educational buildings, multipurpose halls, GOR, prayer rooms, amphitheaters, and dining rooms, to support the ongoing learning process.

With cross-ministerial and BUMN synergies, BNI's involvement in the People's School Program is expected to accelerate the equalization of access to education while strengthening the foundation for human resource development. In the future, the continued support of the banking sector is the key to ensuring that this program has a real and inclusive impact on the next generation of the nation.