Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has urged the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to deploy personnel to help support the operation of tuition-free schools established under the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program.
“If necessary, I would like to ask the TNI and Polri to assign several officers to visit and guide these schools,” Prabowo said during the simultaneous inauguration of 166 Sekolah Rakyat schools nationwide in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Monday.
He expressed confidence that military and police personnel could share valuable insights and practical experience with Sekolah Rakyat students, particularly in fostering discipline.
“I want TNI and Polri officers to teach students proper discipline, including how to dress neatly, such as wearing ties and berets correctly,” the President said.
Addressing Sekolah Rakyat teachers, Prabowo encouraged them to serve as role models for their students. He emphasized that educators have a responsibility to uphold discipline, including by maintaining a neat and proper appearance in front of their pupils.
He added that such an approach is an essential part of character education.
The President also urged State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya to assist Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf and coordinating ministers in overseeing the implementation of the Sekolah Rakyat program.
In this context, he called on government officials to identify and address any shortcomings, including those related to school facilities and learning equipment.
Prabowo delivered the remarks at the Center for Social Welfare Education and Training, which has been designated as the host site for a Sekolah Rakyat in Banjarbaru.
During the visit, he reviewed school services and facilities and inaugurated Sekolah Rakyat schools across 35 locations in Sumatra, 70 in Java, seven in Bali and Nusa Tenggara, 13 in Kalimantan, 28 in Sulawesi, seven in Maluku, and six in Papua.
The President views the Sekolah Rakyat program as a strategic effort to reduce poverty and strengthen human resources by expanding access to quality education for children from economically disadvantaged families.
He also announced that the government is targeting the establishment of 500 Sekolah Rakyat schools nationwide by 2029.
