The Sekolah Rakyat Programme is playing a vital role in promoting education equity in Indonesia by offering free education to underprivileged students. This initiative goes beyond just providing access to education, as it also focuses on holistic character development for children, equipping them with the necessary skills and values to contribute to national development. Recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) to strengthen their collaboration in expanding education access through the Sekolah Rakyat programme. This partnership covers various areas such as social welfare services, data sharing on beneficiaries, and enhancing human resources in the education and social sectors.
Ministers Saifullah Yusuf and Nasaruddin Umar underscored the significance of Sekolah Rakyat in breaking the poverty cycle through free education and character formation. Given the rising dropout rates and limited educational opportunities for the less fortunate, programmes like Sekolah Rakyat are instrumental in uplifting children from disadvantaged backgrounds and opening doors to a brighter future. The Ministry of Social Affairs has introduced two models for constructing People’s Schools, with a focus on asset revitalization and new construction to provide top-notch facilities for students. These initiatives align with the government’s goal of creating an inclusive education system that empowers children from low-income families and contributes to a prosperous Indonesia by 2045. Through efforts like Sekolah Rakyat, the government aims to tackle the root causes of poverty and ensure equal educational opportunities for all children.
