Jakarta – Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) was surprised by the talents and abilities of his students when he visited the senior High School (SRMA) 24 Kediri, East Java. This dialogue activity between the Ministry of Social Affairs and People’s Schools began with the talents of children from poor and extremely poor families. “I was a little child who had previously walked without shoes, through mud and dusty roads. My mother always said: Just go to school. Sometimes hungry lessons, ‘he said in a written statement on Friday (10/10/2025). It was a verse of poetry delivered during the opening ceremony by a student, followed by a performance of the Srigayo dance, an English speech, a Silat performance and a choir in the presence of Gus Ipul, Deputy Regent of Kediri Dewi Maria Ulfa, member of the Eastern -Java Provincial DPRD Imam Ma’ruf, COMMONUFA, Leaders, as well as laders, farmers, farmers and one -hundred students of SRM. Kediri, who has been employed since July 14, 2025. Browse to continue with the content in his speech, Gus Ipul emphasized that the People’s School was the great idea of President Prabowo Subianto to answer the problem of poverty and educational differences that have so far left many children untouched by development. “The People’s School was offered by the president to bring those who have not yet been involved in the development process. Many children do not go to school, and the president therefore wants to pay particular attention to education where all costs are borne by the state,” Gus Ipul said. To date, 165 people’s schools have been established in Indonesia who accommodate almost 16,000 students from underprivileged families. Srma 24 Kediri is now home to 100 students. This school is designed as a hostel with daily learning and character building activities. The students live in a dorm, study with 17 teachers, are led by 10 foster caregivers and 4 dorms guardians, and receive complete facilities: three meals a day, two snacks, uniforms, health controls and a laptop for each student. “The building is still temporary. God will be willing, next year a permanent building will be built that can accommodate more than a thousand students of primary school, middle and high school levels. This permanent building will naturally have classrooms, dining rooms, dorms, extracurricular activities, and form complete facilities to form underprivilegs in large children,” he explained. Unlike conventional schools, the People’s School does not recognize academic tests to accept students. “What we do is DNA-based talent mapping to see the potential of children. Because each child has their own strengths and weaknesses,” Gus Ipul explained. The mapping of results shows that 37.4 percent of students have voice potential, 39.6 percent perform in the social field and 23 percent on the language field. “SRC children are sincere, perfectionist, visionary and harmonious. But they should also be guided to be more brave to make decisions and confidence. This is the task of teachers and foster caregivers,” he said. At the event, Gus Ipul emphasized that there were three things that should not happen in the people’s school environment. Namely, there should be no bullying or bullying, no physical or sexual violence against anyone against anyone, and there should be no intolerance on the basis of ethnicity, religion or race. Before students, teachers and parents, Gus Ipul led a joint promise. “We, the extensive SRMA 24 Kediri family, are determined not to carry bullying, physical or sexual violence or intolerance to someone.” He added, people’s schools should be a safe and honorable place to grow. There may be no violence of any kind. Gus Ipul transferred three keys to understanding the great idea of the People’s School. Namely to glorify the little people, reach the unreached and make the impossible possible. “Many children bury their dreams because they do not have the opportunity. The people’s school is here to make those dreams come true. Who knows, from here a president will be born,” he said. The children of SRMA 24 Kediri are now a symbol of change. From a family with an income of under IDR 1 million per month, from a two -bedroom house without a land certificate, they are now studying with facilities they have never thought before. Some students even showed extraordinary potential, such as Aprilia Miftahul Jannah, who has already spoken English with English after three months of study. “When I was at my age, I couldn’t speak English. But you’re wonderful, thumb up,” Gus Ipul said. Mey Nasila, Srma 24 Kediri student, expressed her hope to attend the People’s School. “Thank God, I am very proud to be able to study here. I’ve never experienced facilities like this before. Now my health is better, the food is nutritious, and I’m enthusiastic to study. My dream is to become a kowad,” he said. Her mother, Kartinem, a farm worker who deserves RP. 35 thousand-RP. 40 thousand a day, which took the time to attend this event, smiled emotionally as she embraced her daughter. “If there were no people’s schools, I wouldn’t be able to send my children to school. Thank you, Mr. President Prabowo, for accepting my children to study here. I pray that Mr. President will always go smoothly,” he said. Social Assistant, Salis, who has accompanied PKH beneficiary families in the area since 2019, said Mey is an example of successful integration of social protection programs. “The children go to school at SRC for free, we will accompany their parents through PKH, BPNT and PBI. Later they will also be encouraged to become members of the red and white cooperative so they can be independent,” Salis said. The students also enthusiastically promised at the end of the event. “We, SRMA 24 Kediri students, are determined to learn with love and enthusiasm for the sake of a better future,” he concluded. (Akn/Ega)
Gus Ipul, who visits Kediri, is surprised that people’s school students have many talents
