City commits to supporting Prabowo’s plan for 200 schools; land and designs in progress
Batam has declared its readiness to support the national Sekolah Rakyat program, with a development plan already proposed for the Rempang-Galang area. The city awaits ministerial regulations to begin implementation.
Sekolah Rakyat is a new national boarding school initiative for SD to SMA students, championed by President Prabowo Subianto and expected to launch in the 2025–2026 academic year. The program aims to improve access to quality education for underprivileged communities across Indonesia.
Batam Mayor Amsakar Achmad confirmed the city’s preparedness to execute the Sekolah Rakyat program, aligned with President Prabowo’s national vision to build 200 boarding-based public schools in 2025. While awaiting a formal ministerial regulation, Batam has taken early steps to identify land and develop planning documents.
Amsakar said the city has proposed Rempang-Galang as a potential location, given its strategic value and space for development. “One of the planned facilities in the Rempang-Galang area will likely be a Sekolah Rakyat,” he stated on April 8, 2025.
He also instructed that the Detail Engineering Design (DED) for a new elementary and junior high school in Tanjung Banun be completed promptly. If these designs meet national criteria, the school could be fast-tracked into the Sekolah Rakyat framework.
In the interim, Batam may repurpose existing school buildings to fit the standards, allowing the program to launch faster. “If the current school in Tanjung Banun meets the conditions, we can use that building,” Amsakar added.
Leo Putra, Head of Batam’s Social Services Office, noted that local teams are awaiting national socialization and guidelines before further actions. “We’re still waiting on formal direction. The socialization hasn’t reached regional levels yet,” he said.
President Prabowo’s plan includes an estimated budget of Rp100 billion per school—equivalent to approximately S$7.966 million. The initial phase targets 53 schools across Indonesia before expanding to 200.
Muhaimin Iskandar, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, emphasized the boarding school concept is integral to the program. It will serve students from SD to SMA levels, aiming to improve academic quality, life skills, and student welfare simultaneously.
Batam’s proactive stance and land preparation position it as one of the likely pilot regions. Its dual role as a development hub and strategic island city makes it an attractive candidate for early program rollout.
Batam’s early readiness to support the Sekolah Rakyat initiative highlights the city’s commitment to equitable and accessible education. As Rempang-Galang is considered for development, the program promises not only improved learning access but also regional development synergies that align with both national education reform and ASEAN resilience goals.
Sources: Gokepri (2025), Batam Pos (2025)
Keywords: Sekolah Rakyat, Batam Education, Prabowo Program, Boarding School Plan, Rempang Galang, Amsakar, Inclusive Education
