Bali is preparing to welcome three brand-new “Sekolah Rakyat” boarding schools—an ambitious initiative set to transform access to education for low-income families across the island.
In 2025, the Indonesian government announced the national expansion of its Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) program. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Social Affairs, aims to deliver fully-funded, character-focused education to students from economically vulnerable backgrounds.
What is Sekolah Rakyat?
Sekolah Rakyat is a national education program providing free, full-boarding schooling for children from low-income and extremely poor families (Desil 1–3). The model focuses not only on academic achievement, but also on character education, emotional resilience, and life skills.
Each campus includes dormitories, classrooms, sports facilities, dining halls, libraries, and even teacher residences. The idea is to create a supportive learning environment that removes economic barriers and promotes personal growth.
Funded by the central government and managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), these schools work in close collaboration with regional authorities, the Ministry of Education, and other agencies to ensure both educational quality and social equity.
Three Locations in Bali Selected for Sekolah Rakyat
As part of this initiative, three locations in Bali have been confirmed for Sekolah Rakyat construction: Karangasem, Tabanan, and Bangli. These regions were chosen based on land availability and high numbers of residents classified under extreme poverty according to national socio-economic data.
In Karangasem, officials are weighing two options: converting the under-enrolled SMKN 2 Karangasem into a Sekolah Rakyat, or constructing a brand-new complex adjacent to it. Whichever plan moves forward, it will include on-site dormitories and learning facilities, designed to support students from all over the island.
In Tabanan, Balai Sentra Mahatmiya will host three classes for junior high school students. Meanwhile, Bangli’s proposed location is still under final review.
A Full Boarding School Model for Holistic Development
Unlike typical public schools, Sekolah Rakyat operates as full-time boarding schools—providing not just education, but food, accommodation, and extracurricular development under one roof.
This model is designed to break cycles of generational poverty, especially in rural communities. Students accepted into the program must come from verified low-income families and demonstrate academic promise. Every enrolled child is required to live in the school dormitory throughout the academic year.
The curriculum will blend formal subjects with life skills training, character building, and critical thinking development. According to Luh Ayu Aryani, Head of Bali’s Department of Social Empowerment, the goal is “to graduate students who are intellectually capable, mentally resilient, and socially responsible.”
Inspired by Bali Mandara’s Success Story
Bali is not starting from zero. The SMA Negeri Bali Mandara school in Buleleng has already proven the viability of this concept. Established in 2011, the school provides free, high-quality boarding education to students from impoverished backgrounds—and has become a national benchmark.
At SMAN Bali Mandara, evening study sessions, access to teachers beyond class hours, and late-night library access have dramatically improved learning outcomes. This model is now being adapted for the Sekolah Rakyat system across Indonesia.
A Bigger National Vision
President Prabowo’s administration is aiming to build 200 such schools nationwide beginning this year. In the first rollout, 45 schools are already ready to accept students, ranging from Java and Sumatra to Papua.
Bali’s implementation will include SD, SMP, and SMA level programs, all within the same campus. Each facility will be equipped with classrooms, dorms, sports fields, places of worship, and housing for teachers.
The recruitment process prioritizes children from Desil 1 to Desil 3 families—Indonesia’s classification for extreme to moderate poverty—ensuring that the program targets those most in need.
Where Are Sekolah Rakyat Schools Being Built?
Bali
- Karangasem (two options under review: convert SMKN 2 or build next to it)
- Tabanan (at Sentra Mahatmiya, Kediri village)
- Bangli (location pending final site approval)
Other Confirmed Locations (Phase 1 – 45 sites)
These are ready as of March 2025 for initial enrollment:
Java
- Sentra Handayani, Jakarta
- Sentra Terpadu Inten Suweno, Bogor
- Sentra Phalamarta, Sukabumi
- Sentra Wiyata Guna, Bandung
- Sentra Terpadu Prof. Dr. Soeharso, Surakarta
- Sentra Antasena, Magelang
- BBPPKS, STPL, Bekasi
- Universitas Brawijaya, Malang
- Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya
- Sentra Mulya Jaya, Jakarta
- Sentra Satria Baturraden, Banyumas
- Sentra Abiyoso, Cimahi
- Sentra Galih Pakuan, Bogor
- Sentra Terpadu Kartini, Temanggung
- Sentra Margolaras, Pati
Sumatra
- Sentra Darusaa’dah, Aceh
- Sentra Insyaaf, Medan
- Sentra Budi Perkasa, Palembang
- Sentra Alyatama, Jambi
- Sentra Bahagia, Medan
- Sentra Abhiseka, Pekanbaru
- Sentra Dharma Guna, Bengkulu
- BBPPKS, Padang
- Kab. Solok, West Sumatra
Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua
- Sentra Budi Luhur, Banjarmasin
- BBPPKS, Jayapura
- Sentra Wirajaya, Makassar
- Sentra Nipotewu, Palu
- Sentra Gau Mabaji, Gowa
- Sentra Meohal, Kendari
- Wasana Bahagaia, Ternate
- Sentra Turnou Tou, Manado
Nusa Tenggara & Papua
- Sentra Mahatmiya, Bali
- Sentra Paramita, NTB
- Sentra Efata, Kupang
More than 200 Sekolah Rakyat locations are planned nationwide, with over 160 based on local government proposals. The next phases are undergoing feasibility and construction readiness reviews.
Why Sekolah Rakyat in Bali Matters
For a place as vibrant as Bali, often known globally for tourism and luxury, Sekolah Rakyat presents a counter-narrative—one that puts equity and opportunity at the forefront. It’s a statement that the island’s growth must be inclusive, reaching even its most underserved children.
By 2026, if land acquisition and planning stay on track, all three schools in Bali are expected to open their doors to a new generation of future changemakers.
