Jakarta, March 21 -- Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said that 45 sites are ready to implement the first phase of the free school program for the poor "Sekolah Rakyat."

"As of today, there are 45 sites in the first phase (of the program) that are ready to carry out student registrations," he added in a statement released by his ministry here on Friday.

He informed that the 45 locations are among the 211 sites proposed for Sekolah Rakyat development.

At least 164 of these locations were proposed by regional governments, consisting of 38 sites with buildings and 126 sites with land.

The 45 sites that are ready for the first phase, which commences in July 2025, are owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs. They include social cent...