#ByDrEkoWahyuanto

Breaking the Chain of Poverty Through Inclusive EducationBy Dr. Eko Wahyuanto On Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated 166 Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) simultaneously across 34 provinces, with the main ceremony held in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan. This initiative is part of the government’s broader target to operate a total of 200 Sekolah Rakyat by 2026, supporting the long-term vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. Unlike conventional schools, Sekolah Rakyat are specifically designed for children from underprivileged families registered in the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data system. By relying on unified and verified data, the government aims to build intelligence and human capital among the younger generation, breaking the cycle of extreme poverty through inclusive and structured access to education. The focus of this program goes beyond classrooms and buildings. It directly addresses students’ basic needs — including uniforms, meals and dormitories — so that economic hardship no longer becomes a barrier…