Indonesia Expands Free Public School Program
The country's commitment to "Quality Education for All" was reaffirmed by Education Minister Mu'ti, who highlighted the importance of strategic initiatives in achieving this goal.
A notable example of Indonesia's efforts is its establishment of free schools under the Sekolah Rakyat program, targeting economically disadvantaged families. The program aims to provide free educational services to children from low-income households and will be fully funded by the state budget.
Deputy Minister Agus Jabo Priyono stated that President Prabowo has set a target for each region to host one school with a capacity of 1,000 pupils spanning elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels. The Ministry of Public Works is conducting feasibility studies for proposed sites, while the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education coordinates with Yusuf's team on key aspects such as headmaster recruitment and student admissions.
The expansion of the Sekolah Rakyat program from 53 to at least 65 locations nationwide demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to increasing access to quality education. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on vulnerable groups, including young people from low-income households.