January 14, 2026 | 07:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Tens of thousands of students across Indonesia have reportedly enrolled in the new People’s Schools program, a nationwide initiative launched by President Prabowo Subianto in July 2025, designed to provide accessible education to children from low-income families.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that after approximately six months of operation, more than 15,000 students from elementary to high school levels have joined the program.
“Fifteen thousand students have participated in learning at the People’s Schools,” Prasetyo said in a statement on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
According to official data, 15,954 students are enrolled in 166 People’s Schools spread across 34 provinces and 131 regencies and cities.
Prasetyo added that the government plans to expand the program this year, with 104 additional schools to be built in strategic locations.
“We will construct 104 new People’s Schools this year,” he said.
President Prabowo has set a target of 500 People’s Schools by the end of his term in 2029. Speaking at the Integrated People’s School (SRT) 9 in Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan, Prabowo said, “Our goal is 500 People’s Schools by 2029. God willing, it will be achieved.”
Each school is designed to accommodate roughly 1,000 students, meaning the long-term goal is to serve 500,000 students nationwide.
“Currently, total enrollment has reached 15,000, and it could rise to 30,000 by the end of this year. Ultimately, each campus is expected to educate 1,000 students,” Prabowo added.
The first phase of the program, consisting of 166 schools with boarding school facilities, began operations gradually between July and October 2025. Together, these schools currently serve 15,954 students, supported by 2,218 teachers and 4,889 educational staff.
The second phase will see 104 additional schools built, designed to accommodate 112,320 students through 3,744 learning groups, further expanding access to education for underprivileged communities.
Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Prabowo Targets Building 500 People's Schools in Indonesia by 2029
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Targets Renovation of 60,000 Schools This Year
1 hari lalu
President Prabowo stated that education and health are means to alleviate poverty.
Prabowo Inaugurates 166 People's Schools Across Indonesia
2 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurates 166 People's Schools spread across 34 provinces, on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Indonesia to Temporarily Suspend Free Nutritious Meal Program in Early 2026
20 hari lalu
The National Nutrition Body (BGN) will temporarily suspend the distribution of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) at the beginning of January 2026.
Eight Killed in Southeast China SUV Crash Involving Kindergarten Children
20 hari lalu
Tragic accident occurred when a kindergarten principal lost control of an SUV and plunged into a pond in southeastern China.
Police Probe Bomb Threat Sent to 10 Schools in Depok
21 hari lalu
The police are investigating the threat of bombs sent to ten schools in Depok through email.
Who Benefits from Indonesia's Free Meal Program During School Holidays?
22 hari lalu
Celios criticizes Indonesia's BGN for continuing its free nutritious meal program during year-end school holidays.
Free Nutritious Meal During Holiday, BGN: Children Not Forced to Show Up at School
22 hari lalu
Schools can request free nutritious meals if they wishes, and the food will be delivered in the form of dry food.
Indonesia's Official History Book Raises Teachers' Concerns Over Narrative Control
24 hari lalu
A number of teachers have raised concerns that the official national history book of the country could potentially standardize the narrative of the past and narrow the space for critical thinking.
Two Distribution Options for Indonesia's Free Meals During School Holidays
27 hari lalu
BGN allows schools to decide how the meals will be distributed during the holiday period. Schools can choose between two distribution mechanisms.
Religion Ministry Allocates Rp26 Billion to Restore Educational Facilities in Sumatra
27 hari lalu
In addition to cash, the Ministry of Religion will provide assets in the form of endowments.
