Indonesia’s Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said the tuition-free Sekolah Rakyat program targets out-of-school children from low-income families, aiming to expand access to quality education nationwide.
“We do not open registration; we proactively reach prioritized children—those never enrolled, who dropped out, or are at risk,” Yusuf said in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday.
He said the program adopts a boarding school model to provide accessible education for children from families classified as poor or extremely poor in government data.
Yusuf added the schools often enroll overage students whose education was delayed due to past barriers.
“Many students were formerly buskers, beggars, or scavengers. Some had never attended school or could not continue,” he said.
Related news: Minister urges poor families to enroll kids in Sekolah Rakyat
He acknowledged the first three months are challenging for teachers due to students’ varied academic levels.
In some cases, he said, high school-level students require intensive support to acquire basic literacy skills.
“This is a key challenge teachers must address to the best of their ability,” Yusuf said.
He emphasized a strict teacher recruitment process to ensure effective instruction.
More than 400 students are expected to graduate this year, with some likely to pursue higher education or enter the workforce.
“Graduates can continue to university with government scholarships or become skilled workers,” he said.
Yusuf said the program aims to help reduce poverty by improving graduates’ economic prospects and supporting their families.
Related news: Indonesia seeks more teachers for Sekolah Rakyat expansion
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