Minister of Social Affairs Visits People's School Building in North Sumatra, Operating in New Academic Year

MEDAN, KOMPAS – Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf inspected several buildings that will be used as People's Schools in North Sumatra on Friday (11/4/2025). Saifullah is optimistic that the People's Schools for poor and extremely poor families will be operational in the new academic year, despite only three months remaining.

"The curriculum is being finalized. There will be adjustments first. Anyway, bismillah, we are trying to start it," said Saifullah when asked by reporters about the readiness of the People's School.

Saifullah stated that four state-owned buildings will be repurposed and revitalized into People's Schools. These buildings include the State Islamic University (UIN) Sumut building in Tebing Tinggi City, the Human Resource Development Agency building of the North Sumatra Provincial Government in Medan, as well as two buildings owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs, namely Sentra Bahagia Medan and Sentra Insyaf Deli Serdang.

Saifullah stated that they would soon recruit teachers and admit students for the People's School. The new student admission system will be based on the national socio-economic single data (DTSEN) integrated with the basic education data (dapodik).

People's schools are being prepared for children from families in the first and second decile groups in DTSEN. The first decile represents households in the lowest 10 percent of national welfare levels, while the second decile represents households in the 11–20 percent lowest group.

The majority of this group also falls into the category of poor and extremely poor families. All costs for the People's School will be covered by the government, including dormitory expenses, books and school supplies, meals and drinks, uniforms, shoes, and so forth.

From the results of his visit to the UIN Sumut Tebing Tinggi building, Saifullah stated that the building could temporarily accommodate only two classes. The government will expand the land and construct a new building to accommodate up to 1,000 students of Sekolah Rakyat.

We hope that this People's School can break the chain of poverty in North Sumatra.

Nationally, Saifullah said, the government will open 53 People's Schools in this new school year. "The construction of People's Schools in districts/cities will begin this year. At least 100 People's Schools will be built using the APBN. Another 100 People's Schools will be built by the private sector," Saifullah said.

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution said that they fully support the People's School program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. There have been 21 districts/cities that have proposed the construction of People's Schools. However, this year the implementation has only been in four locations due to land limitations.

"We hope that this People's School can break the chain of poverty in North Sumatra. With this program, children from poor families can get a better education," said Bobby.

The North Sumatra Provincial Government, said Bobby, has several assets equipped with dormitories, residences, and training places. These assets are located in Medan City. Other assets that have the potential to be used for People's Schools belong to the district/city.

Tebing Tinggi Mayor Iman Irdian Saragih said that the UIN Sumut building has an area of 2.3 hectares. The Tebing Tinggi City Government, said Irdian, will conduct land acquisition to expand the land. In order to accommodate up to 1,000 students, the Tebing Tinggi City Government will acquire land so that the area has a minimum area of six hectares.

UIN Sumut Medan Rector Nurhayati said that the building that will be used as the People's School is a grant from the Tebing Tinggi city government. They support the use of the building for the People's School.