The Sekolah Rakyat Programme in Indonesia has been instrumental in promoting education equity by offering free education to students from poor families. This initiative not only provides educational access but also focuses on character development to help children actively contribute to national development while upholding values. Recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) to strengthen cooperation and expand access to education for the underprivileged through the Sekolah Rakyat initiative. Ministers Saifullah Yusuf and Nasaruddin Umar highlighted the importance of this program in breaking the cycle of poverty through education and character building. The Ministry of Social Affairs has introduced two models for constructing People’s Schools that focus on asset revitalization and new construction to ensure quality facilities for students. These efforts align with the government’s goal of creating an inclusive education system to empower children from disadvantaged backgrounds and contribute to a prosperous Indonesia by 2045. Through initiatives like Sekolah Rakyat, the government aims to tackle the root causes of poverty and provide equal educational opportunities for all children.
The Impact of People’s School on Education Equity
