Sekolah Rakyat Program Helps Government Suppress Out-of-School Children
MATARAM — The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Government continues to demonstrate its firm commitment to reducing the number of Out-of-School Children (Anak Tidak Sekolah/ATS), currently estimated at 70,000 across the region.
Through strong synergy with the central government, the flagship Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program has been deployed as a concrete intervention to expand educational access for children from underprivileged households.
Vice Governor of NTB, Indah Dhamayanti Putri (Umi Dinda), personally inspected the pilot implementation of Sekolah Rakyat at the Paramita Center in Mataram on Monday (Nov 9).
During the visit, Umi Dinda emphasized that dedicated mentorship and continuous support from educators and multi-stakeholder partners are critical to ensure that boarding-system students remain motivated, well-adjusted, and confident in pursuing their education.
Currently, Sekolah Rakyat facilities are operational in North Lombok and at the Paramita Center in Mataram, with expansion plans targeting Sumbawa Island.
At the Paramita Center alone, 100 junior high school-level (SMP) students receive not only formal education, but also 24-hour polyclinic healthcare services, psychological counseling, and vocational training—including tailoring, culinary arts, and automotive mechanics—to build long-term economic self-reliance.
Strategic Audit: NTB Sekolah Rakyat & ATS Alleviation Framework
| Policy Pillar | Operational Metrics & Facility Deployment | Socioeconomic & Educational Impact |
|---|---|---|
| ATS Alleviation Target | Addressing an estimated regional baseline of 70,000 Out-of-School Children (ATS) across NTB | Systemic reintegration of vulnerable youth into formal and vocational learning ecosystems |
| Pilot Facilities & Expansion | Operational pilots in North Lombok and Sentra Paramita Mataram; planned expansion to Sumbawa Island | Establishing equitable boarding-school infrastructure across both major islands of NTB |
| Holistic Student Support | 100 SMP students at Sentra Paramita provided with formal education, 24-hr healthcare, and psychological care | Mitigating health and psychological barriers to ensure high retention and student well-being |
| Vocational Empowerment | Practical training modules covering tailoring, culinary arts (tata boga), and automotive repair | Equipping underprivileged youth with market-ready technical skills for sustainable self-reliance |
Central-Regional Synergy for Sustainable Youth Development
The Sekolah Rakyat initiative reflects an integrated strategy to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by pairing academic instruction with comprehensive social welfare services.
By combining residential accommodation with continuous health monitoring and vocational certification, the NTB Provincial Government and its central partners aim to ensure that returning students transition successfully into skilled employment or higher educational tracks.
