The Government Prepares Phase 3 People's Schools for 100 Districts

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is preparing the construction of around 100 Stage 3 People's Schools (SR) as part of efforts to expand access to education for children from pre-prosperous families.

The program is a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto's directive which targets the existence of one SR in each district.

Minister PU Dody Hanggodo said that the construction of Phase 3 SR would soon enter the auction process.

In the long term, each school is designed to have a capacity of around 2,000 to 3,000 students so that more children from poor families can access decent education.

"The PU Ministry is also preparing the construction of around 100 Stage 3 People's Schools which will soon enter the bidding process," said Dody as quoted from a written statement, Monday, July 27.

In accordance with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, the program is aimed at expanding access to education for children from pre-prosperous families, with a long-term target of one SR in each district.

According to Dody, the construction of SR is one of the government's priority programs to break the chain of poverty through education.

"People's Schools are the main program to eradicate poverty. By educating children from pre-prosperous families, they are expected to improve the quality of life of their families from pre-prosperous to prosperous, as well as preparing the Indonesian Golden Generation 2045," he said.

During his visit, Dody also ensured the readiness of the facilities and infrastructure of the Integrated People's School (SRT) 1 Sragen, ranging from classrooms, dormitories, dining rooms, sanitation facilities, places of worship to sports facilities.

SRT 1 Sragen is built on an area of 59,000 square meters and equipped with various supporting facilities, such as teachers' apartments, mosques, canteens, kitchens, libraries, and sports fields.

In general, the construction of the SRT has been completed and is ready to be functional even though there are still a number of minor works that need to be improved, such as bathroom channels, water trench inspections and the completion of several building details.

"Actually, this is finished. It only needs to be improved in some parts of the student dormitory. However, it can be used by new students," said Dody.

On that occasion, Dody also conveyed a message to students who were participating in the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS).

He asked students to take advantage of the learning opportunities and facilities provided by the government to achieve a better future.

"On behalf of the Government, on behalf of President Prabowo Subianto, I hope that the younger siblings will feel at home here and study diligently," said Dody.

"Use all the facilities that this country has provided as best as possible. Never feel inferior, because the People's School actually gives younger siblings the opportunity to achieve success in the future. If you are successful, your family will be successful, insyaallah the country will also progress," he continued.

Nationally, most of the SR development has also entered the final stage. Of the approximately 93 locations under construction, only about nine locations are still under 90 percent progress.

According to Dody, the delay was mainly influenced by logistical constraints in difficult-to-reach areas.

Even so, all projects have entered the final completion phase and are targeted to immediately support teaching and learning activities.