Jakarta, July 2 -- Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf is optimistic that the first phase of the People's School initiative can begin simultaneously in the new 2025-2026 academic year on July 14.

"We are increasingly confident to head towards July 14, in terms of the readiness of the students, buildings, the principals, the teaching staff, and the facilities and infrastructure," Yusuf remarked in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Yusuf explained that the first phase of the People's School will begin in 100 locations from the western tip of Aceh to the eastern tip of Papua and is estimated to serve more than 9,700 students from underprivileged families across various regions.

The government has also prepared the second phase of the People's Schoo...