67 Public Schools Ready by July, Government Targets School Dropouts

SURABAYA - Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf ensures that the majority of the second phase of the People's Schools project will be ready to operate in July 2026, with 67 of the total 97 locations targeted to be completed 100 percent on time.

"Of the more than 90 People's Schools, 67 of them will be completed on time. The rest may not be all of them, but they can be used functionally," said the Minister, who is familiarly called Gus Ipul, Sunday, May 3.

He added that all development points are targeted to be used by July, at least for initial operations.

The People's School program is designed to accommodate up to 1,000 students per location, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels. East Java is the province with the most number, namely 18 schools.

Gus Ipul conveyed his appreciation to the regional government, from the governor to the regent and mayor, who had provided land and met the development requirements.

Facilities prepared at the People's School include classrooms, dormitories, libraries, laboratories, UKS, to extracurricular facilities to support the learning process.

Unlike schools in general, student admissions are not through open registration. The government implements the pick-up ball method to reach children from families who are unable to afford it, including those who drop out or are at risk of dropping out of school.

"We reach children who do not go to school, have not gone to school, dropped out of school, or are at risk of dropping out of school," said Gus Ipul.

He hopes that graduates of the People's School will have the opportunity to continue their education to higher levels and be absorbed into the workforce as skilled workers.