Jakarta — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto underscored the crucial role of education in lifting communities out of poverty, speaking at a gathering of teachers and principals from Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Friday (Aug. 22).

Prabowo emphasized that the People’s School initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to break the cycle of poverty through the nation’s younger generation. He reminded educators that teachers and school leaders carry a vital responsibility: preparing children to one day raise their families out of hardship.

“The People’s School is preparing a generation to break the chain of poverty. One day, they will return and it will be they who lift their parents out of poverty,” Prabowo said.

He added that this mission aligns with the aspirations of Indonesia’s founding fathers, who envisioned true independence not only from colonialism, but also from poverty, hunger, and suffering. Education, he stressed, is the primary path to ensuring that all Indonesians share in the country’s wealth.

The president highlighted the government’s accelerated progress in rolling out the program.

“As of today, 100 People’s Schools have been established and are operating. By September, another 65 will open. Next year, God willing, 200 schools,” he noted.

Prabowo said the achievement was the result of intensive collaboration across ministries in delivering inclusive, high-quality education.

“This has exceeded my expectations—to have 100 schools in just five months,” he remarked.

He closed with a personal message to the teachers and principals in attendance:

“You have been entrusted with a very noble duty. You are preparing a generation to break the chain of poverty,” he said.