Jakarta, July 9 -- Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar expressed optimism that the government's tuition-free school program, Sekolah Rakyat, can help break the cycle of poverty in Indonesia.

"Through Sekolah Rakyat, we will break the cycle (of poverty) quickly and effectively, especially those in decile 1 (extremely poor)," he stated here on Tuesday.

Iskandar remarked that by August 2025, the number of operational Sekolah Rakyat will reach 100 schools.

The program is being implemented based on President Prabowo Subianto's directive, as outlined in Presidential Instruction Number 8 of 2025 on the Optimization of Poverty Alleviation and Extreme Poverty Eradication.

He explained that the Sekolah Rakyat...