TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, stated that President Prabowo Subianto aims to build 100 Sekolah Rakyat or People's Schools by 2025. These schools will consist of elementary, junior, and senior high levels. He conveyed this during the Coordination Meeting for Strengthening the Economy of East Java 2025 at the State Building of Grahadi, Surabaya, on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

"I ask for support and want to coordinate to execute the president's directives to operate the People's Schools. We want to be supported by provinces, regencies, or cities that have the infrastructure that can be used to run the People's Schools," said Saifullah as quoted in an official statement on Monday, March 10, 2025.

He explained that these People's Schools are intended for children from families classified within the bottom 10 percent (decile 1) based on the Integrated Social and Economic National Data (DTSEN). The plan is for each regency or city to have at least one school, while at the provincial level, a minimum of two schools will be built.

"We have 31 centers, 6 halls ready to operate People's Schools, and currently 40 are ready," said Saifullah.

In addition, the minister who is referred to as Gus Ipul, stated that they have prepared teaching staff with Primary and Secondary Education. Meanwhile, the curriculum is being finalized by the Directorate of Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

Previously, the head of the People's School development team, Mohammad Nuh said the People's Schools will implement a specially designed curriculum. He explained that People's Schools are designed with a boarding school concept. 

Nuh also revealed that his team and other ministries are still discussing to complete the People's School facilities. He assured that the People's Schools are free. These schools will accept students from the 2025/2026 academic year for elementary, junior, and senior/vocational high school.

Hanin Marwah contributed to the writing of this article.

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