The Sekolah Rakyat Programme in Indonesia is playing a vital role in promoting education equity by offering free education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative not only focuses on providing access to education but also emphasizes character development to help children actively engage in national development while upholding noble values.
A recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) formalized their collaboration in expanding access to education for the underprivileged through the Sekolah Rakyat initiative. This collaboration includes various aspects such as social welfare services, data exchange on beneficiaries, and enhancing human resource competencies in education and social sectors.
Ministers Saifullah Yusuf and Nasaruddin Umar highlighted the significance of Sekolah Rakyat in breaking the poverty cycle through free education and character building. With the rising dropout rates and limited educational opportunities for the poor, programs like Sekolah Rakyat are crucial in uplifting children from disadvantaged backgrounds and creating a pathway for a brighter future.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has introduced two models for building People’s Schools, focusing on asset revitalization and new construction to provide quality facilities for students. These efforts align with the government’s vision of establishing an inclusive education system that empowers children from impoverished families and contributes to the realization of a prosperous Indonesia by 2045. Through initiatives like Sekolah Rakyat, the government aims to tackle the root causes of poverty and ensure equal opportunities for all children to access quality education.
