Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung reaffirmed the Jakarta Provincial Government’s commitment to supporting the development of Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) to expand access to education for children from underprivileged families. He delivered the statement while attending the open house of Sekolah Rakyat Senior High School (SRMA) 10 South Jakarta alongside Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf on Friday (July 3). According to Pramono, education is a long-term investment that creates better opportunities for future generations and helps break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. He emphasized that no citizen should be left behind in benefiting from development, making equal access to education a key government priority.
The provincial government has reinforced this commitment through several education assistance programs aimed at supporting students from low-income households. These include the distribution of the 2026 Phase I Jakarta Smart Card (Kartu Jakarta Pintar Plus/KJP Plus) to 707,477 students, the Jakarta Outstanding Student Scholarship (Kartu Jakarta Mahasiswa Unggul/KJMU) to 15,825 university students, and the first phase of the Diploma Clearance Program, which has benefited 2,026 students. In addition, all 90 students enrolled at SRMA 10 South Jakarta continue to receive KJP Plus assistance. Pramono said these initiatives reflect the government’s determination to ensure financial barriers do not prevent children from pursuing their education.
Pramono described Sekolah Rakyat as an opportunity for children to transform their futures, drawing on his own experience of receiving educational assistance. He said scholarships had enabled him to continue his studies and expressed confidence that the program would provide similar opportunities for many young Indonesians. As part of supporting one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, the Jakarta Provincial Government is also prepared to study the feasibility of allocating between five and eight hectares of land for the construction of a boarding Sekolah Rakyat capable of accommodating approximately 1,000 students. He expressed hope that the school would nurture future generations who are academically accomplished, possess strong character, and enjoy brighter prospects.
Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf welcomed the Jakarta Provincial Government’s support, describing Sekolah Rakyat as one of President Prabowo’s strategic national programs. He thanked Governor Pramono for maintaining close collaboration to ensure the initiative progresses successfully and praised the province’s readiness to support an additional pilot school with capacity for around 1,000 students. Saifullah explained that the initial phase of the program utilizes government-owned properties deemed suitable by the Ministry of Public Works, with approximately 10 locations already identified. Eight of those sites, including facilities in Pejompongan, Marunda, and Curug, are currently undergoing renovation, highlighting the importance of cooperation between central and regional governments in delivering quality education for children from disadvantaged families.
Alexander Jason – Redaksi
