Sekolah Rakyat: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Education
In an effort to combat poverty through education, President Prabowo Subianto has launched the “Sekolah Rakyat” or “People’s School” program, which officially kicks off in the 2025/2026 academic year with student orientation starting on July 14. This initiative is part of Indonesia’s broader vision to build a strong human capital foundation for the Golden Indonesia 2045 agenda.
The program, a direct implementation of the President’s fourth Asta Cita priority, aims to use education as a powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty. According to Adita Irawati from the Presidential Communication Office, Sekolah Rakyat is a fully funded boarding school initiative tailored for children from impoverished households who may not have access to quality education due to financial constraints.
Despite public schools being tuition-free, many families in the lowest income bracket still struggle with hidden costs like transportation, meals, uniforms, and school supplies. These expenses are simply unaffordable for families battling poverty.
Pockets of poverty in Indonesia hinder access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and proper infrastructure. BPS data from September 2024 shows that 8.57% of the population, or 24.06 million people, were living below the poverty line, including 3.17 million enduring extreme poverty.
This harsh reality poses a significant obstacle to achieving Indonesia’s development goals by 2045. Poverty limits human capital development by blocking access to quality education, health services, and proper nutrition. These barriers lead to lower literacy and skill levels, reducing opportunities for individuals to secure well-paying jobs and improve their economic prospects.
Economic challenges create disparities in accessing education. In 2024, BPS data indicated that the gross enrollment rate for senior secondary education in the lowest income households was just 74.45%, compared to 97.37% in the highest quintile.
To address these issues, President Prabowo introduced the Sekolah Rakyat program to provide children from vulnerable backgrounds with equal and quality education without the financial burden. The program covers all student needs, including education, accommodation, meals, and supplies.
Beyond access to education, Sekolah Rakyat aims to equip students with life skills based on their talents and potential, empowering them to enter the workforce or start their own businesses. The ultimate goal is to help these students uplift themselves, their families, and their communities.
President Prabowo has emphasized the importance of executing the Sekolah Rakyat program with precision, integrity, and genuine impact. These students are expected to become future leaders who will contribute to Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045.
