Social Affairs Minister Opens People's School Readiness Program at 65 Locations

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, widely known as Gus Ipul, officially launched the second phase of the School Readiness Program (MPLS) for 65 'Sekolah Rakyat' (People's Schools) via a virtual ceremony from Jakarta. The initiative, a strategic program by President Prabowo Subianto, targets children from impoverished backgrounds who have lacked access to education.

During the event, Gus Ipul expressed gratitude to regional leaders for their support. He highlighted that over four million school-aged children in Indonesia are not attending school, and these 'Sekolah Rakyat' aim to reach them. The phased approach to MPLS, conducted in four waves, is a deliberate measure to ensure functional readiness of facilities, prioritize student safety and comfort, and verify essential utilities like water, electricity, and sanitation.

Gus Ipul emphasized that MPLS should be a child-friendly environment, free from bullying, physical or sexual violence, and intolerance. He stressed that schools should be a safe second home for students. The program also includes a baseline assessment of each student's physical health, psychological condition, interests, and talents to tailor interventions. Additionally, students will receive guidance from TNI and Polri cadets to foster discipline and life skills.