Indonesia's Ministry of Education Expands Access to Quality Education through Sekolah Rakyat Program
Published on 4.16.25
The Indonesian government is taking steps to improve access to education for disadvantaged children through various initiatives. The Ministry of Education has drafted a 100-page guide for the Sekolah Rakyat Program, which aims to provide equal access to quality education for economically disadvantaged children. This program will be implemented in 53 regions and use data from the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) to identify eligible families with school-age children.
The Ministry of Education's efforts are part of a broader push to improve education outcomes in Indonesia, where millions of children lack access to quality educational opportunities. The Sekolah Rakyat Program is designed to address this issue by providing targeted support to disadvantaged students and their families.
According to My Esti Wijayati, a member of the House of Representatives, only half of KIP applicants have been deemed eligible for the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP) for Higher Education. However, she urged patience from institutions and the public as valid data on quota allocation is awaited. The Commission X has documented institutions with limited KIP allocations and plans to adjust distribution based on accurate data.
The Indonesian government's commitment to improving access to quality education is a positive step towards achieving its development goals. By providing targeted support to disadvantaged students, the country can help bridge the gap in educational outcomes and create a more equitable society.