Education plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between rural and urban communities in Indonesia. According to Statistics Indonesia, only 6% of women in rural areas attained higher education in 2024, compared to 14% in urban areas. This disparity has been attributed to social and cultural factors by Lestari Moerdijat, Indonesia's Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly.
To address this issue, Minister Prasetyo Hadi plans to open 200 schools this year, with 147 new schools and 53 existing ones requiring renovation. The government aims to implement a tuition-free school program called Sekolah Rakyat in poverty-stricken areas to break the cycle of poverty. This initiative is part of Indonesia's efforts to improve educational access for rural communities.
The Public Works Ministry has pledged support for the infrastructure of these schools, with Minister Resinta Sulistiyandari stating that the government prioritizes the construction of Sekolah Rakyat in poverty-stricken areas.