Sekolah Rakyat construction reaches 78 pct nationwide: Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said that the average construction progress of Sekolah Rakyat projects across Indonesia has reached 78 percent.

“At the very least, we must complete the elementary, junior high, and senior high school buildings so that students can begin attending their new schools in the upcoming academic year this July,” Hanggodo said in a statement on Monday.

The ministry is currently prioritizing the completion of core facilities for all education levels to ensure that the buildings are functional and ready for use by mid-July.

Hanggodo highlighted the progress of the Sekolah Rakyat 2 project in Sukoharjo District, Central Java, which has now entered the “green zone,” indicating that construction is on schedule and aligned with planned targets.

The project had previously experienced delays due to damage to village roads caused by heavy construction vehicles.

“Therefore, contractors must make additional efforts, similar to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, by preparing or repairing access roads before carrying out their work,” he said.

The minister noted that a similar challenge arose in Brebes District, Central Java, where the contractor was required to construct a temporary Bailey bridge.

“This was necessary to ensure that logistics distribution would not disrupt local residents’ daily activities,” he added.

Hanggodo also outlined the different challenges faced by Sekolah Rakyat projects in Java and outside Java. In Java, the primary challenge lies in architectural work and finishing stages.

Meanwhile, in regions outside Java, including Sumatra, Maluku, and Sulawesi, logistical infrastructure remains the main obstacle.

He emphasized that the nationwide development of Sekolah Rakyat is more than a conventional infrastructure project. According to him, it is a direct mandate from President Prabowo Subianto aimed at breaking the cycle of extreme poverty through improved access to education.

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Translator: Aji, Kenzu

Editor: Primayanti

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