Jakarta. Indonesia is set to launch its ambitious Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) program on Monday,offering free boarding school education to children from the nation’s poorest households

Chief Community Empowerment Minister Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin) said preparations are complete, including the enrollment of children from the lowest economic bracket to begin classes next week.

“Everything is ready. Recruitment of children from the lowest bracket has been completed, and learning activities can now start,” Cak Imin told reporters in South Jakarta on Saturday.

The initiative, launched under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, will operate in stages across the country, with 100 schools expected to be fully operational by early August. Initially, the program will use facilities owned by the Social Affairs Ministry, regional governments, and existing schools while permanent boarding school facilities are constructed in parallel.

“These first schools are preparation stages. Eventually, we will build dedicated new facilities,” Cak Imin explained.

Sekolah Rakyat is designed as a full boarding school system, providing not only education but also comprehensive care, including housing, nutritious meals, school uniforms, learning materials, character-building activities, and health services. The program, overseen by the Social Affairs Ministry, specifically targets children from families living in extreme poverty, offering enrollment from elementary through high school levels.

The curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry, integrates Indonesia’s national education standards with character education, leadership, life skills, and value-based learning.

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, confirmed that around 9,700 students will begin orientation activities under the Sekolah Rakyat program starting Monday. 

“On July 14, we will start the orientation period for our children, teachers, and education staff, allowing everyone to get acquainted,” Gus Ipul told reporters during a visit to the Sentra Abiyoso facility in Cimahi, West Java, on Saturday.

Of the planned 100 initial sites, 63 are ready to begin operations next week, with the remainder scheduled to open by the end of July. The program will be supported by 1,500 teachers and over 200 educational staff, aiming to accommodate up to 9,700 students nationwide.

Unlike conventional schools, Sekolah Rakyat does not accept open registrations. Student selection is based on Indonesia’s Integrated National Extreme Poverty Data (DTSEN), ensuring only eligible children from the most vulnerable households are enrolled. The selection process includes home verification to confirm family income, assets, and living conditions.

“The requirement is that children must be classified as poor or extremely poor,” Gus Ipul said. 

Graduates of Sekolah Rakyat will receive certificates equivalent to those from regular schools, enabling them to pursue further education without barriers. While the Social Affairs Ministry oversees day-to-day operations, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education manages the curriculum and teacher recruitment, while the Ministry of Public Works is responsible for building the necessary infrastructure.

“Sekolah Rakyat graduates can continue to any school, but we will continue to monitor and support them until they complete high school,” Gus Ipul concluded.