Central Java Has 10 People's Schools, Governor Yasin Believes They Can Break Poverty Cycle

Central Java has established 10 permanent and six pilot "Sekolah Rakyat" (People's Schools), accommodating 2,692 students across the province. Governor Taj Yasin emphasized that these schools are a vital pathway to breaking the persistent cycle of poverty in the region, where poverty rates remain relatively high. The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for children from poor and extremely poor families.

Yasin stated that the Central Java Provincial Government is committed to overseeing the "Sekolah Rakyat" program, viewing it as a key component of the national effort to offer education to underprivileged children. He highlighted that the program aligns with the President's vision to uplift impoverished families and empower individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Central Java has prior experience managing boarding schools for students from low-income families, with three full boarding schools and 15 semi-boarding facilities already in operation.

The "Sekolah Rakyat" program currently serves 2,692 students for the 2026/2027 academic year, including 380 in elementary school, 1,038 in junior high, and 1,274 in senior high. These students have completed their orientation period. The 10 permanent schools are located in various regencies and the provincial capital, Semarang, while the six pilot schools are in other regencies.

Enrollment for junior and senior high school levels has largely met quotas. However, attracting students for elementary "Sekolah Rakyat Dasar" remains a challenge, as some parents are hesitant to send their young children to boarding facilities. To optimize capacity, the Ministry of Social Affairs allows unused elementary slots to be reallocated to junior and senior high programs. The province plans to expand the "Sekolah Rakyat" network, with potential to accommodate around 35,000 students if all 35 regencies and cities establish schools.