BLITAR – Blitar City’s newly established People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) will accommodate not only local students but also around 150 students from neighboring regions during its initial phase, as part of a special placement program coordinated by Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs.
The boarding-based educational institution, which is scheduled to begin operations in July or August, will temporarily host students from Malang City and Batu City while similar facilities in those areas remain under development.
According to Blitar Social Affairs Agency head Ika Atikah, the arrangement was confirmed through an official letter issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs in May. The ministry instructed that students from pilot People’s School programs in neighboring regions be relocated temporarily to Blitar.
“The plan is to place 90 junior high school students from Batu City and approximately 60 students from Malang City in Blitar’s People’s School,” Ika said on Monday. “That means around 150 students from outside the city will join the school during the initial operational stage.”
She explained that the students come from pilot People’s School programs in their home regions. Unlike Blitar, which is building a permanent campus, several other regions are still preparing facilities for the program.
Some areas currently use temporary buildings owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs or provincial social agencies. As a result, the ministry decided to place some students in Blitar until construction projects finish in their respective regions.
Ika assured residents that the additional students would not reduce services for local participants. The central government covers all operational costs through the state budget.
The funding includes uniforms, learning materials, and daily student needs. Local families will not bear any additional costs.
She also stressed that the placement arrangement is temporary. Students from Malang and Batu will return home once their schools become operational.
Meanwhile, Blitar continues to recruit local students for the program. Teams assisting beneficiaries of the Family Hope Program (PKH) are currently verifying potential candidates across the city.
Officials have identified about 1,700 potential participants. The city aims to enroll 270 students during the first phase.
The target includes 90 elementary school students, 90 junior high students, and 90 senior high students. Authorities expect to complete verification and parental approval by the end of June.
However, convincing parents remains a challenge. Many families hesitate to let their children live away from home in a boarding school environment.
The Social Affairs Agency believes the model can help break the cycle of poverty. Officials say students will gain discipline, confidence, and stronger life skills.
“We continue to explain that this program supports the children’s future,” Ika said. “They will receive training that helps them become independent and improve their economic prospects. They will also return home during school holidays.”
Construction of Blitar People’s School is still underway. The project has passed the 50 percent mark and remains on schedule.
The city government expects the campus to reach completion in June. Officials continue their outreach efforts so the school can meet its enrollment target for the new academic year.