Indonesia targets 5 tuition-free schools in East Kalimantan in 2025

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has announced plans to establish five tuition-free boarding schools under the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program in East Kalimantan this year.

The initiative aims to provide educational access to economically disadvantaged children in the region.

"The authority to assess the feasibility of proposed school sites lies with the Ministry of Public Works," Minister Yusuf stated during a visit to Samarinda 16 Public Senior High School (SMAN 16) in Samarinda on Saturday (May 11).

Accompanied by East Kalimantan Deputy Governor Seno Aji, the minister inspected the SMAN 16 campus, one of the potential locations for a new school under the program.

Yusuf revealed that his ministry had received proposals for around 280 Sekolah Rakyat nationwide, with more than 300 land plots suggested as possible school sites.

In addition, nearly 100 existing buildings have been proposed for adaptation into schools.

“Once the Ministry of Public Works completes its survey of the proposed sites in East Kalimantan and identifies those deemed feasible, I will report the findings directly to President Prabowo Subianto to ensure priority implementation this year,” Yusuf explained.

Addressing teacher recruitment, he said the Ministry of Social Affairs is developing a comprehensive selection mechanism in coordination with relevant provincial, district, and municipal governments.

He also highlighted that a database of prospective students has been compiled, with their eligibility to be verified through direct home visits by field teams.

The minister further noted that the curriculum for the new schools is in the final stages of preparation.

Yusuf assured that the schools’ operations -- including the provision of uniforms, school supplies, and daily meals for dormitory students -- will be fully funded through the national budget.

Meanwhile, Head of the Social Protection Division at the East Kalimantan Social Affairs Office, Achmad Rasyidi, confirmed that five proposed locations are spread across Kutai Kartanegara, Samarinda, North Penajam Paser, and Berau.

“In Kutai Kartanegara alone, we have prepared 8.7 hectares of land for this initiative,” Rasyidi added.