Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto on Friday addressed thousands of teachers and principals of the government’s new Sekolah Rakyat (“People’s Schools”), a flagship program aimed at providing free quality education for children from low-income families.

Prabowo, dressed in his signature brown safari shirt and black cap, was joined by several top ministers, including Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, and senior members of the “Red and White” cabinet. Military and police chiefs also attended.

The government launched 100 free boarding schools nationwide in July, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said, describing the initiative as a breakthrough to support children from the nation’s poorest households. In preparation, the government has appointed 1,469 teachers and trained nearly 100 headmasters to lead the schools. The first intake will accommodate around 9,700 students.

Each school will offer free education from elementary through high school, with boarding facilities and three nutritious meals a day. The program is fully funded by the central government, with additional support from local administrations and private sector partners. Every campus will be equipped with a standardized kitchen to ensure consistent meal quality under the national free meal program for school-aged children.

The People’s Schools initiative is one of Prabowo’s top social programs, designed to widen access to education and tackle generational poverty. Saifullah, better known as Gus Ipul, confirmed that earlier problems with student and teacher withdrawals had been resolved. “Some teacher candidates withdrew because they already received government job placements or because of distance. But all positions have been filled. Classes will continue smoothly,” he said.

The Social Affairs Ministry has already deployed over 1,300 teachers across the 100 school sites.

Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti explained that the schools will adopt a flexible “Multi Entry, Multi Exit” (MEME) system, similar to a university credit structure, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Lessons will be modular, aligned with national standards, and designed to encourage students to build practical skills relevant to their environment.

Beyond the formal curriculum, the program emphasizes what officials call a “living curriculum”  where dormitory life, school activities, and daily interactions are considered part of the learning process.

Muhammad Nuh, head of the People’s School steering team, stressed that the program avoids conventional academic testing. Instead, it maps students’ talents and interests from the outset.

“With strong collaboration and support, this program can succeed far beyond expectations,” Nuh said.