JAKARTA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has allocated 2.14 trillion rupiahs (around 130 million U.S. dollars) to fund the implementation and operation of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship education initiative, known as the People's School program, throughout this year, a minister announced on Wednesday.
The program aimed to redefine educational equity in Indonesia by offering fully free, full-boarding schools for children from the nation's poorest families.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that of the 159 People's Schools to be operational by 2025, 63 have already begun operating since July 14, enrolling over 9,000 students.
The remaining 96 schools will open in phases: 37 on Aug. 1, and 59 in early September.
The minister added that the government intended to increase the program's funding in the 2026 state budget.
"This is a real commitment to supporting children from underprivileged families, providing them with the opportunity to learn and grow through quality education, and preparing them for a better future," she said. ■
