Politics · Indonesia · 3 hrs ago
Indonesia Calls for Stronger Management of Sekolah Rakyat Schools
Indonesia's Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf called for stronger management of Sekolah Rakyat, a national network of schools.
The programme has operated for more than a year and faces challenges linked to students' varied needs and its boarding-school system.
The schools operate at 182 sites across Indonesia and serve primary, junior high and senior high students.
Many students come from vulnerable families, and some have experienced violence or mental health problems, so the minister said they need empathetic support.
Students receive health checks and rehabilitation if needed before starting classes.
Officials also want schools to address staffing gaps and use students' talent assessments to guide further study or job training.
The goal is to help students continue their education or gain work skills and, through education, help break the cycle of poverty; officials called for better coordination, management and ongoing evaluation.
Indonesia’s Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf called for stronger management, ongoing monitoring and evaluation of Sekolah Rakyat schools.
He said the schools face challenges linked to students’ varied backgrounds and the complexity of residential education.
Many students come from vulnerable families and some have experienced violence or mental health problems, he said.
The schools operate at 182 locations across Indonesia and serve elementary, junior high and senior high students.
Officials said the schools aim to use education to help break the cycle of poverty.
- Who
- Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf called for stronger management. Deputy Minister Agus Jabo Priyono and ministry Secretary General M Hasan Chabibie also spoke about the schools.
- What
- Officials called for stronger governance, coordination, monitoring and support for Sekolah Rakyat schools.
- When
- The call was reported on October 27, 2026. The article says a school leaders’ meeting and capacity-building activity took place that day.
- Where
- The activity was held at Swiss-belhotel Waterfront Makassar, Indonesia. The schools operate at 182 locations nationwide.
- Why
- Officials said the schools face challenges related to students’ varied needs and residential education. They said a stronger system is needed to support learning and help break the cycle of poverty.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sekolah Rakyat schools faced challenges linked to students’ diverse backgrounds and the complexity of residential education.
Saifullah Yusuf met school principals and attended a capacity-building activity in Makassar.
- School locations
- 182 across Indonesia
- School levels
- Elementary, junior high and senior high
- Meeting venue
- Swiss-belhotel Waterfront Makassar
- Published
- October 27, 2026
What people are saying
These things all need to be accompanied with full empathy.
I am once again meeting today with all the Sekolah Rakyat principals who have come from various regions to consolidate.
The spirit is that Sekolah Rakyat is formal education and character education.