JAKARTA - Social Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf considers the introduction period to be the key to enabling students of the People's School (SR) to adapt to the boarding education system, especially for children of elementary school age (SD).
"In the beginning there was a period of introduction and adaptation challenges. But after one month, two months, they are comfortable. Alhamdulillah, in general it went well," said the Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf in Batam, Riau Islands (Kepri), Tuesday, quoted by Antara.
This was conveyed in response to the findings that there were students in grades 1-3 of elementary schools in Natuna and Tanjungpinan Regencies, Riau Islands, who were not comfortable with the concept of residential people's schools.
"There are challenges because these students have diverse backgrounds, yes, but we are aware and with a good process, they can finally follow the learning and stay in the dormitory well," said the Minister of Social Affairs.
The Minister of Social Affairs also said that some students in other areas chose to stay at school during the holidays because they felt comfortable with the boarding environment.
"Bahkan ada yang saat libur tidak mau pulang, ingin tetap di lingkungan Sekolah Rakyat," kata Menkes.
The Minister of Social Affairs explained that the People's School in Riau Islands began to run gradually from July to early October 2025 and ran well.
The Ministry of Social Affairs' statement was in response to the spotlight of the RI Ombudsman Representative for Riau Islands who found that students aged 6-7 years were relatively difficult to adapt to living apart from their parents for a long period of time.
In Tanjungpinang and Natuna, a number of students chose to go home and be picked up by their families because they were not comfortable staying in the dormitory.
In Tanjungpinang alone, out of a quota of 100 students of the People's School, about 25 children reportedly resigned and asked to go home at the beginning of the implementation of the People's School.
However, the Minister of Social Affairs also hopes that the sustainability of the People's School program will be maintained.
"Hopefully this will not only be a five-year program. If the benefits are felt, God willing, it will be continued by whoever the president is," said the Minister of Social Affairs.
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