BLITAR – People’s School Program in Blitar City remains in the preparation stage as local education authorities wait for detailed guidelines from the central government, particularly regarding teacher recruitment and staffing arrangements.
Officials from the Blitar City Education Office say they have not yet received official instructions concerning educator requirements for the program. The initiative, known as Sekolah Rakyat or People’s School, falls under the authority of Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs.
Muhammad Arifin, Head of the Educator Division at the Blitar City Education Office, said local authorities cannot finalize operational preparations until the government releases the necessary regulations.
“We are still waiting for technical guidelines and more detailed regulations from the central government. So far, we have not received official information regarding teaching staff or implementation mechanisms,” Arifin said.
The Education Office typically handles teacher distribution and workforce planning across schools in the city. However, Arifin explained that his office cannot develop a staffing strategy for the People’s School Program without clear policy direction.
Authorities also need further clarification on several other aspects of the initiative. These include curriculum design, educational facilities, learning support systems, and operational standards.
According to Arifin, those elements serve as the foundation for implementing the program effectively. Without formal guidance, local agencies remain unable to move forward with technical planning.
“We have not received official instructions yet. Therefore, we are waiting for further direction from the ministry responsible for this program,” he said.
While questions remain regarding teachers and school operations, authorities have already begun preliminary work in other areas. The process of identifying prospective students is currently underway through the Social Affairs Office and field facilitators.
Arifin said the Education Office mainly supports public outreach efforts. The agency helps disseminate information and assists with community socialization activities related to the upcoming program.
The student identification process currently falls under the responsibility of social welfare agencies rather than education authorities. As a result, coordination between institutions continues as preparations advance.
Despite the lack of technical guidance, the Education Office has expressed full support for the national initiative. Officials view the program as an important effort to expand educational access for vulnerable communities.
Arifin emphasized that his office stands ready to act once the government issues formal regulations. The agency plans to coordinate with relevant stakeholders and map staffing requirements immediately after receiving official instructions.
“We fully support this program. Once the guidelines become clear, we will follow them according to the authority assigned to us,” he said.
The waiting period highlights the central government’s key role in shaping the operational framework of the People’s School Program. Local authorities in Blitar hope detailed regulations will arrive soon so they can accelerate preparations and ensure a smooth launch.