Indonesian regions allocate land for permanent Sekolah Rakyat schools

Local governments in Indonesia are preparing land to support the construction of permanent 'Sekolah Rakyat' (People's Schools), a priority program aimed at providing free education and poverty alleviation.

In Sumenep, East Java, the regency government has allocated 7.1 hectares of land in Gunggung Village, Batuan District, for the project. The site, originally intended for a sports center, is located near Jalan Trunojoyo and Wiraraja University. Officials stated that proposals are being prepared for submission to the Ministry of Social Affairs to facilitate construction within the year.

In South Sulawesi, the provincial government has offered approximately 20 hectares of additional land in Makassar to expand the capacity of existing Sekolah Rakyat facilities. Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman indicated that the expanded site could accommodate up to 3,000 students from underprivileged families. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf welcomed the initiative, noting the necessity for more permanent school buildings to accommodate the growing number of eligible students.