Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf announced that 1,469 teachers are ready to start teaching at 100 Sekolah Rakyat (People's School) in the first phase, starting in mid-July 2025.
"They have passed a selection process and will receive training similar to that given to school principals," he stated after closing the second batch of Sekolah Rakyat principals' retreat in Jakarta on Saturday.
Before the teaching and learning process, all teachers, principals, education staff, and students will participate in a matriculation or orientation period, which is planned to commence on July 14, 2025, the minister explained.
On the first day, matriculation will open with the Free Health Check program, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health for students, teachers, and educational personnel.
"The following day, there will be various training and orientation activities to properly prepare all elements of the school to face the teaching and learning process," Yusuf stated.
In addition, students, teachers, principals, and school personnel at the Sekolah Rakyat are required to stay in the dormitories that have been provided, he noted.
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"Although not all teachers will immediately live in the dormitories, they will take turns for 24 hours to ensure that mentoring for students runs optimally," he remarked.
His side ensures the availability of kitchens and dormitories for the school.
Although the Nutrition Fulfillment Services standard in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has not been fully implemented, Yusuf assured that each kitchen at Sekolah Rakyat is designed to meet the food needs of students and educators.
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"Gradually, it will be adjusted to meet MBG standards," he remarked.
The Sekolah Rakyat program is one of the government's initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and increasing educational access for children from poor and extremely poor families nationwide. These families are registered in the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN).
The first phase of Sekolah Rakyat is estimated to accommodate more than 9,700 students from underprivileged families from various regions.
