Prabowo Launches People’s Schools as Flagship Bid to Break Indonesia Poverty Cycle

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto inaugurates 166 People’s Schools across all 34 provinces on Monday, Jan 12, 2026 in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan as the government positions education as a core instrument to break the intergenerational cycle of extreme poverty. The boarding school based program targets children from the poorest households and is designed to combine formal education with nutrition, health care, and social protection.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the National Center for Social Welfare Education and Training, Prabowo formally declared the schools open. “By saying bismillah, this afternoon, Monday, January 12, 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate 166 People’s Schools across Indonesia,” he said.

During the event, the president appeared visibly emotional as students demonstrated their academic progress. “I am deeply impressed, I am deeply moved. I hope the cameras did not point at me earlier. It was difficult for me to hold back my tears, just like the Minister of Social Affairs,” Prabowo said.

He recalled the political decision behind the initiative, describing it as a deliberate departure from conventional policy. “Imagine if at that time we, I and the ministers, had not taken a brave stance. We said, let us do something that may not be common, let us build the best boarding schools for those who may have no hope, those from families left far behind,” he said.

The People’s Schools program was rolled out in phases between July and September 2025, with schools now operating in 166 locations. Java hosts the largest share with 70 schools, followed by Sumatra with 35, Sulawesi with 28, Kalimantan with 13, Bali and Nusa Tenggara with seven, Maluku with seven, and Papua with six.

According to government data, 15,945 students have completed one semester of study in the 2025 to 2026 academic year. The pilot phase has also created 7,107 jobs, including 2,218 teachers and 4,889 education support staff.

Prabowo set out an ambitious expansion plan, targeting 500 People’s Schools by 2029. He said each school is ultimately designed to accommodate up to 1,000 students, which would allow the program to serve as many as 500,000 children nationwide.

“Our target is 500 People’s Schools by 2029. God willing, it will be achieved, and I apologize that we cannot yet produce more than we have today,” he said. He added that while current enrollment stood at around 15,000 students, the figure was expected to reach 30,000 by the end of the year.

The president explicitly linked the program to his goal of eliminating extreme poverty by the end of his term. “I believe this can happen,” he said, referring to the prospect of lifting entire families out of poverty through education.

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, widely known as Gus Ipul, said the program was designed to reach what he described as “the invisible people.” “They are often people whose suffering we do not see or feel. That is why we translate People’s Schools into direct outreach to families in the most difficult conditions,” he said.

He disclosed that around 60 percent of parents of People’s Schools students work as daily laborers, construction workers, fishermen, or waste pickers. About 67 percent earn less than Rp 1 million per month, while 65 percent support households with more than four dependents.

The program has also absorbed children previously excluded from the education system. Gus Ipul said 454 students had never attended school before, while 298 had dropped out prior to enrollment. “We also found a quieter reality, many children come from single parent households and some have experienced domestic violence,” he said.

To prevent favoritism or corruption, student selection is conducted through verified social data involving local governments, social workers, and official statistics. “The Minister of Social Affairs cannot place anyone. There must be no bribery, no buying one’s way into People’s Schools. The president’s direction is very clear,” Gus Ipul said.

Beyond classrooms, the schools provide dormitories, libraries, laboratories, sports facilities, and dining halls. Students also receive free health screenings and nutritious meals as part of the government broader social protection agenda.

During a visit to one of the schools in Banjarbaru, Prabowo toured classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories, and encouraged students to ask questions freely. “If you do not understand, ask your teacher, do not be shy. This is the place for you to ask,” he told them.

Officials said the People’s Schools initiative reflects a shift toward integrated social policy, combining education, welfare, and labor absorption. The government views the program not only as a schooling project, but as a long term investment in human capital and social mobility.

President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech during the inauguration of 166 People’s Schools in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Monday, Jan 12, 2026. Photo: Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden.