Sekolah Rakyat expands education access across Indonesia

The Sekolah Rakyat education program, a key initiative of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has expanded significantly since its phased launch in July 2025. On January 12, 2026, President Prabowo inaugurated 166 pilot schools across 34 provinces and 131 regencies/cities, providing access to 15,954 students from underprivileged families.

By mid-2026, the program includes 93 permanent schools and 182 total facilities, serving over 44,000 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The initiative aims to reach 4.16 million Indonesian children who are out of school due to economic or geographic barriers, as identified by Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) data. The government targets the construction of 500 Sekolah Rakyat by 2029.

To promote social justice, the program replaces traditional academic entrance exams with AI-based DNA talent testing. This method is designed to map innate talents and natural potential, aiming to prevent the marginalization of underprivileged students who may lack early access to formal learning facilities.