Gus Ipul: Gubernur, Bupati, Wali Kota Tak Boleh Titip Siswa Sekolah Rakyat

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf speaking to parents of prospective SRMP 3 and SRMA 31 Pekanbaru students at the Abiseka Center. (ANTARA/Bayu Agustari Adha)

JAKARTA - Social Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul emphasized that the process of accepting students at the People's School must be free from the practice of entrustment, bribes, or the intervention of any party, including government officials.

Gus Ipul made the statement when attending an Open House with parents of prospective students of the People's School in Pekanbaru, Riau, Sunday, June 14. He emphasized that the program was specifically designed to help children from poor families so that the selection process must be carried out objectively and accurately.

According to Gus Ipul, President Prabowo Subianto has given instructions that there should be no practice of tipping-tipping in the admission of students to the People's School.

"There should be no trust. The minister should not, the governor should not, the regent and the mayor should not either," said Saifullah Yusuf, quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that only prospective students who meet the program criteria and have gone through the verification process are entitled to be accepted as students of the People's School.

The People's School program, he said, is specifically aimed at families who fall into the most vulnerable economic group. The main target is people who are in the 1st and 2nd desil categories or groups with the lowest level of well-being based on government data.

Therefore, the selection process is carried out strictly so that educational assistance is really received by those in need.

Apart from coming from poor families, the priority students are children who have not been to school, dropped out of school, or are at risk of dropping out of school.

Gus Ipul explained that officers would conduct data collection and verification directly in the field before offering the program to the parents of prospective students.

"If you agree, then it will be determined by the regional head and then forwarded to the ministry to be officially designated as a People's School student," he said.

On this occasion, Gus Ipul also asked all parties involved in the implementation of the People's School to work professionally and with integrity.

He reminded principals, teachers, and education staff to carry out their duties with full responsibility and to remain guided by the rules set by the government.

According to him, the success of the program is not only determined by the availability of educational facilities, but also the quality of assistance and guidance provided to students.

Gus Ipul admitted that he saw positive developments from the implementation of the People's School for almost a year. Based on reports from parents and field monitoring results, many students showed behavioral changes and increased confidence.

In addition to being more disciplined and healthy, students are also assessed to have higher motivation to achieve a better future through education.

"The children of the People's School are now more confident, more disciplined, healthier, and have a high spirit to achieve a better future," said Gus Ipul.

He hopes that integrity in the student admission process will be maintained so that the main purpose of the People's School as a means of expanding access to education for poor families can be optimally achieved.