Gov’t Sets Sekolah Rakyat to Begin Operations, Social Assistance to Reach Tens of Millions of Families

President Prabowo Subianto receives a report on the progress of Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting on Monday (12/15). Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev

President Prabowo Subianto, Monday (12/15), received a report on the progress of Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting. In his report to the President, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf said that 166 public schools began operations gradually from July to September.

“The schools have been equipped with laptops for students and teachers, smart boards, and school uniforms. There are 15,945 students, 2,407 teachers, and 4,442 education personnel,” said the Minister.

Regarding Sekolah Rakyat affected by the disaster, the Minister said that teaching and learning activities at nine schools have been temporarily suspended. “The schools are being cleaned currently. Alhamdulilah, there were no casualties,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs has also contributed to flood and landslide handling in Aceh and Sumatra.

The Minister said that his ministry has prepared logistical supplies at various regional levels and operated 39 public kitchens that prepare more than 400,000 meals per day.

“We have also sent regular rice to Aceh and Sumatra, totaling over 100 tons. As of December 11, the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed assistances worth over Rp89 billion,” he said.

In his report, the Minister also reported on the realization of social assistance, with a total budget ceiling of around Rp75 trillion in 2025.

He said the distribution of social assistance in 2025 has exceeded 90 percent for regular social assistance.

“This excludes staple food assistance in the fourth quarter that has only reached 40 percent, as the budget is still in the process of submitting an additional budget,” he added.

Furthermore, the Minister also reported on the implementation of President Prabowo’s temporary direct cash assistance (BLTS) program.

He said, to date, the direct cash assistance totaling over Rp27 trillion has been distributed to more than 29 million beneficiary families.

“Previously, regular social assistance, including the Family Hope Program and staple food assistance, has been received by approximately 18 million families. With the addition of BLTS, there are now more than 35 million beneficiary families in deciles 1, 2, 3, and 4,” he said.

Regarding the distribution of the BLTS program, the Minister said that the Ministry of Social Affairs is collaborating with the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) and regional governments to update beneficiary data.

“Hopefully, by the end of next week, we will have reached more than 31 million beneficiary families,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/MMB)