A landmark moment for Indonesia’s education landscape unfolded on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, as an addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed between Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), and Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto. This crucial agreement, inked at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Jakarta, signifies a pivotal new step in the downstreaming of education for students of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) program, fostering a robust synergy across social, higher education, scientific, and technological sectors.
Through this enhanced collaboration, the government aims to forge clear and accessible pathways for Sekolah Rakyat graduates to pursue higher education, including exciting opportunities for advanced studies as far afield as China.
This addendum directly aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s visionary directive, emphasizing that the Sekolah Rakyat program must not conclude at the primary and secondary education levels. Instead, it mandates that graduates should be guided towards further studies at universities or seamlessly integrated into the professional workforce, ensuring no student is left behind.
Specifically designed to uplift families within the first and second deciles of the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN), the program guarantees that children from the nation’s most economically disadvantaged households gain access to quality education, thereby breaking cycles of poverty through learning.
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Currently, the Sekolah Rakyat network demonstrates impressive national reach, having spread across approximately 166 locations stretching from Sabang to Merauke. This expansive network serves an estimated 15,000 to 16,000 students across elementary (SD), junior high (SMP), and senior high (SMA) levels, continually working towards equitable distribution.
For the senior high level within Sekolah Rakyat, projections indicate that around 6,000 to 6,700 students are expected to graduate by 2028. Notably, approximately 4,000 of these students have already expressed a keen interest in pursuing higher education.
This significant number underscores the immense potential of Sekolah Rakyat graduates, highlighting the critical need for robust scholarship schemes and adequate access to diverse university campuses to accommodate their academic aspirations.
In a strategic move to better understand and nurture student potential, the Ministry of Social Affairs has begun implementing the innovative DNA Talent assessment technology, developed in collaboration with Ary Ginanjar. Initial findings reveal that about 37 percent of students show a strong inclination towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, while others are distributed across health, engineering, and various other academic disciplines.
Skema Beasiswa dan Peluang Kerja Lulusan Sekolah Rakyat Kemensos tinjau Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi di Tasikmalaya (ANTARA FOTO/Adeng Bustomi/nym.)
To facilitate the continuity of education, the government, through its partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and various universities, has allocated approximately 2,600 scholarship quotas for Sekolah Rakyat graduates aspiring to attend domestic higher education institutions.
These vital scholarship opportunities are strategically divided across four primary pathways: 1,000 seats through the KIP Kuliah program, 500 seats via the educational affirmation pathway, 500 seats through the national new student admission selection (SNPMB), and an additional 600 seats specifically reserved for Poltekkes (Polytechnics of Health).
This thoughtfully designed framework aims to cater to Sekolah Rakyat graduates with diverse academic profiles, whether they seek a purely academic trajectory or a vocational path, particularly within the health sector.
Beyond these comprehensive government scholarship programs, additional invaluable support is also being extended by State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the broader business community.
For instance, PT Pos Indonesia is providing approximately 80 to 100 coveted slots for Sekolah Rakyat graduates to enroll at the Universitas Logistik dan Bisnis Internasional (ULBI), offering specialized training for students drawn to the dynamic fields of logistics and distribution.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Social Affairs is actively forging multiple MoUs with other esteemed higher education institutions, such as Universitas Arif Ginanjar, to further broaden the spectrum of study options available to Sekolah Rakyat graduates.
Recognizing that not all students will pursue higher education, the government is also preparing specialized mentorship and support for those Sekolah Rakyat graduates who opt to directly enter the workforce or embark on entrepreneurial ventures immediately after graduation.
These students will receive guidance to become skilled professionals, both domestically and internationally, through collaborative initiatives with the Ministry of Manpower and various other relevant agencies, ensuring their successful transition into their chosen careers.
Akses Studi ke China Bagi Lulusan Sekolah Rakyat Peringatan Hari Guru Nasional di sekolah rakyat (ANTARA FOTO/Arnas Padda/bar)
In line with this downstreaming policy, opportunities for overseas study, particularly in China, are continually being fortified, presenting exciting new horizons for Sekolah Rakyat graduates.
Through a powerful collaboration involving the Yayasan Warga Bumiputera Indonesia, Kadin Indonesia Committee China, and Tianjin University, a dedicated scholarship program has been launched. This initiative enables the most outstanding Sekolah Rakyat graduates to pursue their tertiary education at the prestigious Tianjin University in China, fostering international academic exchange.
The robust availability of these scholarship pathways is further bolstered by the unwavering commitment of domestic higher education institutions. Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, elaborated that over 4,000 campuses, approximately 10 million students, and around 300,000 lecturers are poised to actively engage as mentors for Sekolah Rakyat.
Each participating campus will be strategically paired to mentor one to two Sekolah Rakyat, providing invaluable support through regular visits, establishing study groups, offering guidance on program selection, and enhancing the capacity of both teachers and students. This comprehensive approach ensures they are well-prepared to compete effectively in higher education, both within Indonesia and on the global stage, including in countries like China.
Looking ahead, university students will extend their community contributions beyond traditional Community Service Programs (KKN) in villages. They will actively play a vital role in advancing Indonesia’s future through their dedicated contributions to the Sekolah Rakyat program, embodying a new era of social responsibility in education.
Summary
On December 2, 2025, an addendum to a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. This landmark agreement establishes clear pathways for graduates of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) program to pursue higher education, including exciting opportunities for advanced studies in China. The initiative specifically targets economically disadvantaged families, ensuring their children gain access to quality education beyond primary and secondary levels in line with presidential directives.
To support these aspirations, the government has allocated 2,600 domestic scholarship quotas through various programs, supplemented by support from State-Owned Enterprises and other university partnerships. Outstanding Sekolah Rakyat graduates can also access international scholarships to Tianjin University in China, through dedicated collaborations. Furthermore, a vast network of over 4,000 domestic university campuses and their faculty will provide essential mentorship and guidance to prepare students for both national and global higher education opportunities.
