Jakarta (The Indonesian News) – Expanding access to quality education for all remains a government priority as part of Indonesia’s national development agenda. As of October 2026, hundreds of Sekolah Rakyat schools had been established across the country, offering children from disadvantaged families an opportunity to pursue an education.
“As of October 2026, a total of 265 Sekolah Rakyat schools had been completed, spread across 131 regencies and cities throughout Indonesia,” Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said in a statement quoted Saturday, November 7, 2026
Teddy described the Sekolah Rakyat initiative as a concrete effort to give every Indonesian child the opportunity to pursue their aspirations. The schools provide free education to children from families in the first and second deciles of the socioeconomic distribution—the poorest segments of the population, including those living in extreme poverty.
“Sekolah Rakyat opens the way for every child to build a future,” he said.
The initiative goes beyond providing classrooms. It also aims to create an environment that supports children’s overall growth and development.
Through the program, more than 45,000 street children have been given the opportunity to return to school and access a range of facilities designed to support their education and daily lives.
“More than 45,000 street children now have the opportunity to return to school. In addition to receiving an education, they are provided with decent accommodation, adequate learning and sports facilities, nutritious meals, and guaranteed access to health services,” Teddy said.
He said Sekolah Rakyat carries a broader social mission: giving children the opportunity to build better lives through education.
The government believes every child has the right and opportunity to develop their potential without losing hope for the future.
Sekolah Rakyat sends a clear message: a child’s future should not be determined by family background or economic circumstances. Every Indonesian child has the right to dream big, and the state has a responsibility to help make those dreams possible.
Source: Government Communications Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Bakom RI)
