Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Indonesia is rolling out a new tuition-free school program aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty by targeting not only children from poor households but also their parents, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said on Sunday.The program, known as Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School), is designed for children from poor and extremely poor families who have long struggled to access quality education. Unlike conventional schooling schemes, it integrates education with family-based economic and social empowerment.Speaking at a press conference after inspecting preparations for a Sekolah Rakyat pilot in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Yusuf said the initiative was built to deliver lasting impact.“The children go to school, and the parents are empowered. When the children graduate, the parents have moved up in life,” he said.Under the scheme, Sekolah Rakyat serves as a hub for several flagship programs of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, including the Free Nutritious Meals program, Red and White Village Cooperatives, and Free Health Screening.The government says the initiative is crucial as poverty remains a persistent challenge. Data from the Social Affairs Ministry show that 8.57 percent of Indonesia’s population — about 24 million people — still live below the poverty line. Another 1.13 percent, or roughly 3.17 million people, are classified as extremely poor.Yusuf said students enrolled in Sekolah Rakyat will receive full educational support, including accommodation, while their parents are expected to join village cooperatives and gain access to social assistance, nutritious food programs and routine health checks.“Education alone is not enough. We are strengthening families at the same time, so improvements are sustainable,” he said.The program is intended to equip children from disadvantaged backgrounds with the skills and competitiveness needed to contribute to Indonesia’s long-term development goals, including the government’s “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision, which marks 100 years of independence.According to the ministry, 166 Sekolah Rakyat pilot schools have been established nationwide as of 2025 and are scheduled for inauguration on Jan. 12, 2026.The schools are expected to accommodate around 16,000 students across elementary, junior high and senior high levels, supported by about 2,400 teachers and more than 4,000 education staff, the ministry said.