Indonesia Ministry of Social Affairs expands education access for underprivileged youth

The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs is expanding its 'Sekolah Rakyat' (People's School) program to provide education for children from impoverished and extremely poor families. Minister Saifullah Yusuf stated that the program targets students from the lowest socio-economic tiers (Decile 1 and Decile 2) based on the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN). Admission is determined by socio-economic verification rather than academic testing to ensure accessibility.

As of July 2026, the program has enrolled 28,478 new students for the 2026/2027 academic year, including 6,305 elementary, 11,186 junior high, and 11,077 senior high school students. The government has constructed 93 permanent schools, with a target of establishing at least one school in every regency and city to help break the cycle of poverty through education.

Additionally, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono emphasized the importance of youth organizations, such as the Muhammadiyah Students Association (IPM), in building national character and fostering social solidarity. He encouraged young people to remain sensitive to societal issues, particularly regarding poverty and educational barriers, and to collaborate with the government to find solutions.