The Bali Provincial Government is planning to establish three new units of Sekolah Rakyat (Community Schools), offering free and quality education for students from low-income families. These schools are expected to be located in Karangasem, Tabanan, and Bangli regencies.
The initiative, part of a national program developed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs, aims to provide inclusive and character-based education while addressing extreme poverty.
“There will be a total of three Sekolah Rakyat, but the plan is still under discussion with our leadership, so it hasn’t been finalized yet,” said Luh Ayu Aryani, Head of the Bali Office for Social Affairs, Women Empowerment, and Child Protection, on Tuesday (April 22), as reported by kumparan.com.
In Karangasem, two options are being considered: converting SMKN 2 into a Sekolah Rakyat or constructing a new building next to the existing SMKN 2. The school reportedly has a low number of students, prompting concerns about its long-term viability.
“If the vocational school continues to operate, we will build the Sekolah Rakyat next to it on government-owned land. That means starting from scratch — building classrooms, dormitories, and other facilities,” Aryani added.
The Karangasem Sekolah Rakyat is expected to include 18 elementary school classes, 9 middle school classes, and 9 high school classes.
The exact location in Bangli has yet to be confirmed, as the proposal was submitted independently by the local government to the Ministry of Social Affairs. In Tabanan, the school will be located at the Balai Sentra Mahatmiya in Kediri village, where three classrooms will serve junior high school students.
Targeting Areas with Extreme Poverty
The three selected regions meet the program’s criteria: available land and a population with a high incidence of extreme poverty. However, the schools will not be limited to students from those areas. They will also accept students from other regencies, provided they come from economically disadvantaged families and have strong academic potential.
All students are required to live in dormitories throughout their education.
Curriculum to Focus on Academics and Character Development
Aryani said the curriculum is still under development but will likely combine formal education with strong character-building elements.
“We want these graduates to be intellectually capable, mentally resilient, and have strong character. Ultimately, the goal is to break the cycle of poverty in rural areas and inspire other youths in their villages,” she emphasized.
Nationwide Expansion of Sekolah Rakyat
The Ministry of Social Affairs has received 356 location proposals for Sekolah Rakyat. In 2025, 200 schools are planned, including 53 renovated sites that will begin operating in the 2025/2026 academic year. The remaining locations are still undergoing surveys and assessments.
To meet teaching staff needs, the Ministry collaborates with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Administrative Reform to assign civil servant teachers (ASN), contract teachers (PPPK), and graduates of the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program.
Priority for Civil Servants as Teachers
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated that civil servants will be prioritized for teaching roles. “For school principals and teachers, our priority is PNS. Next is PPPK, both full-time and part-time,” said Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, in a meeting with regional leaders, quoted from antaranews.com.
If there are still vacancies, new PPG-certified graduates may be recruited. The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education has also requested local governments to submit data on eligible PNS and PPPK teachers for assignment.
“There are potential candidates. Hopefully, they can be included in the next selection round to become school principals,” said Gus Ipul.
The recruitment will prioritize teachers without current placements to avoid unnecessary relocations, although final decisions will rest with local authorities.
Source: kumparan.com, antaranews.com
Special Photo Credit: balipost.com