- The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs launched the Sekolah Rakyat program for 2025–2026, enrolling over 9,700 students across 100 schools, with 63 schools starting on July 14.
- SRMP 6 Sentra Handayani in Jakarta welcomed 75 students (40 girls, 35 boys) into three classes, supported by 20 dormitory rooms housing up to 80 students.
- Aimed at low-income children, the state-run program, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, offers free education from primary to high school to break the cycle of poverty.
Pupils get used to their first day of school at Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Pertama (SRMP) 6 Sentra Handayani, Jakarta. The Indonesian Government, represented by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), has formally introduced the Sekolah Rakyat (public school) program for 2025–2026. Over 9,700 pupils will be in the program, which kicked off. Of the 100 planned schools, 63 took their students, with the rest of the schools due to start later this month.
At about 6 a.m., scores of students flocked to Sentra Handayani, eager to start their first day. Branded with guardians or relatives, they lugged big bags filled with belongings for their sojourn at the school dormitories. The commotion on the school campus signaled the start of a program that many view as a fresh well of hope for Indonesia's youth.
During this year, SRMP Sentra Handayani is hosting 75 students 40 girls and 35 boys and has them divided into three classes of 25 students per class, consistent with available room capacity. In order to address boarding requirements, the school has set aside 20 dormitory rooms, each capable of accommodating four students, thus having a total full capacity of 80 occupants. These facilities make sure all the admitted students this year are comfortably housed within the school precincts.
Sekolah Rakyat is a state-run program that promises quality education for low-income and very poor children. Initially suggested by President Prabowo Subianto, the program promises to be a strategic means of ending poverty generation through education. The boarding school system provides free education at 100 percent level from primary up to high school levels.
