Ministry of Social Affairs introduces dual pathways for Sekolah Rakyat students

Indonesia's Ministry of Social Affairs is developing two distinct pathways for Sekolah Rakyat students following the completion of upper secondary education. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf announced that students will be able to choose between pursuing higher education through scholarship support or entering the workforce as skilled laborers.

The vocational pathway aims to equip students with professional skills tailored to their specific interests, talents, and potential. To refine this curriculum, Minister Yusuf has engaged Pungky Sumadi, the former Deputy for Population and Employment at the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), to assist in designing the skill development programs.

During a gathering with 409 students in South Jakarta, Yusuf emphasized the importance of continuous education, noting that students should progress from elementary to junior high, and then to senior high school. He also mentioned that high-achieving junior high students may have the opportunity to enroll in Sekolah Garuda.