Government Collaboration Brings Fast Internet Access to Sekolah Rakyat to Support Digital Learning for Underprivileged Students
 |
| Government Collaboration Brings Fast Internet Access to Sekolah Rakyat to Support Digital Learning for Underprivileged Students. |
In today’s digital era, having access to the internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a basic need, especially in the education sector. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) and the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) have joined forces to provide fast and reliable internet access to Sekolah Rakyat, a government-funded boarding school program aimed at helping children from low-income families.
Fast Internet Connectivity Supports Smart School Ecosystem
Sekolah Rakyat is a flagship program initiated by President Prabowo, offering free education and dormitory-based schooling for students from extremely poor backgrounds. Designed as a smart school, Sekolah Rakyat emphasizes digital learning, which heavily depends on fast and stable internet.
To support this, Komdigi officially handed over internet infrastructure assistance to Sekolah Rakyat SMA 19 and 20—schools located under the Social Affairs Ministry’s UPT (Technical Implementation Unit). The symbolic handover was conducted by Minister of Komdigi Meutya Hafid to Kemensos Secretary General Robben Rico at Sekolah Rakyat SMA 20 BBPPKS Yogyakarta on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Why Is Fast Internet So Important for Sekolah Rakyat?
According to Robben Rico, internet connectivity is one of the most crucial components of running a smart school like Sekolah Rakyat. The use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and digital tools in classrooms requires consistent, high-speed internet access.
He emphasized that the internet support from Komdigi is critical, as it ensures that students can fully benefit from digital-based education. Robben also highlighted that Kemensos and Komdigi will work together to ensure internet safety by blocking inappropriate or harmful websites that should not be accessed by children.
Dual Support: Digital Infrastructure and Public Communication
Minister Meutya Hafid stated that her ministry is committed to supporting Sekolah Rakyat in two main areas: digital infrastructure and public communication.
She added that all Sekolah Rakyat facilities will gradually be equipped with high-speed internet access, tailored to each location's specific needs.
After the handover ceremony, Minister Meutya also visited the school’s facilities, including the boys’ and girls’ dormitories, staff dorms, cafeteria, and classrooms, to ensure the infrastructure meets the required standards.
Empowering Families Beyond the Classroom
What makes Sekolah Rakyat even more impactful is its holistic approach. The program doesn’t just focus on the students but also involves their families. Parents will be included in empowerment initiatives, and those living in uninhabitable housing will receive assistance for home improvement.
The student recruitment process is thorough and involves collaboration between local social offices, education departments, Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) facilitators, and Statistics Indonesia (BPS). Only students from Desil 1 and 2 in the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) are eligible to join.
Ambitious Rollout Target: Over 20,000 Students in 2025
In its initial phase, Sekolah Rakyat will operate in 100 locations and serve 9,755 students. An additional 100 schools are set to open this year, bringing the total number of students to over 20,000—supported by 2,180 teachers and 4,069 educational personnel.
This collaboration between Komdigi and Kemensos marks a significant step toward achieving equitable digital education in Indonesia. By delivering fast internet to Sekolah Rakyat, the government ensures that children from underprivileged families can benefit from a modern, tech-driven learning environment.
If you’re passionate about educational equity and digital transformation, keep following this blog for the latest updates on government-led education programs and tech initiatives.
