Indonesia Plans IDR 100 Billion Budget for Every New People's School

Jakarta, VIVA – Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, announced that the government is currently preparing 50 People’s Schools. He added that each school will receive a budget allocation of around IDR 100 billion.

"It depends on the needs of each location, but on average, it's around IDR 100 billion," the minister said on Monday (March 10).

These People’s Schools will cater to elementary, middle, and high school students. Regarding their locations, Iskandar stated that Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf will reveal the details.

As for teacher recruitment, Iskandar emphasized that the regulations are still being finalized by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

"The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, along with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education, is currently designing and finalizing the system," the minister explained.

Earlier, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf estimated that the People’s Schools, initiated under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, would open in July 2025. These schools will follow a boarding school model, specifically designed for children from Indonesia’s lowest economic groups.

Students will receive free education, meals, uniforms, and dormitory accommodation at no cost.

"Yes, of course, it will be 100% free. Free education, free uniforms—everything will be provided," Minister Yusuf said on March 10.

He added that registration for People’s Schools is expected to open in the next three months, while the selection process will begin this month or early next month.

"We hope to get things started by the end of this month or next month. Right now, we are finalizing the selection team," the minister continued.

The selection process will be rigorous, starting with identifying prospective students from the lowest economic groups (Desil 1-2), as determined by the National Social and Economic Single Database (DTSN).

After that, students must pass an academic test to ensure they have the interest and ability to learn.

Unlike elite schools, People’s Schools will operate as boarding schools. The government has prepared 40 centers and facilities under the Ministry of Social Affairs as initial locations, including some facilities provided by universities such as Brawijaya University (UB) and Surabaya State University (UNESA).

"These centers are services managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs. We have 31 centers and six additional facilities. All of these will be used to launch the People’s Schools," Minister Yusuf concluded.