Committee III of DPD RI Uncovers Permanent Teacher and Clean Water Issues at Kulon Progo Integrated People's School

09 September 2026 oleh admin

Yogyakarta, dpd.go.id - Committee III of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) identified a number of issues in the implementation of the Integrated People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi or SRT) during a supervisory visit to Integrated People’s School 1 in Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Tuesday (Sept 8). Based on discussions with relevant stakeholders, the need for definitive or permanent teachers as well as the availability of clean water were identified as the most urgent problems to address immediately.

The Chairperson of Committee III, Filep Wamafma, expressed appreciation for the People’s School program, which provides opportunities for children from underprivileged, poor, and extremely poor families to receive an education. According to him, this program needs both support and evaluation so that its operations run as expected. In addition to the issues of teachers and clean water, he also highlighted the importance of teacher welfare, character building for students, and the curriculum.

“We see that this education system must be well organized; it must have permanent teachers. Teachers cannot simply be taken from other schools, as every school has its own needs. Furthermore, teacher welfare is paramount. Besides teacher certification, their welfare must also be guaranteed. If teachers are prosperous, they will be fully dedicated to working and serving at the Folk School,” Filep stated.

SRT 1 Kulon Progo only began operating at the end of July 2026. Built on a 7.1-hectare land area at a construction cost of 214 billion IDR, the school covers three education levels elementary (SD), junior high (SMP), and senior high (SMA) with a capacity of 1,080 students. However, for this academic year, the student intake has only reached 359 students, supported by 32 teachers. Acting Principal of SRT 1 Kulon Progo, Agus Ristanto, explained that these teachers were temporarily reassigned from the Education, Youth, and Sports Office of Kulon Progo Regency, the Education, Youth, and Sports Office of DIY Province, the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office of Kulon Progo Regency, as well as SR 19 Bantul and SR 20 Sleman. In fact, some teachers have to teach at two People’s Schools simultaneously. “Currently, the fulfillment of teaching staff is still undergoing a recruitment process by the Ministry of Social Affairs,” Agus said.

Responding to these issues, Committee III DPD RI Member from Central Java Province, Muhdi, cautioned that the teacher shortage issue should not be allowed to drag on. He emphasized that even after the recruitment process is completed, accepted teachers will still require special training to ensure they are professional and ready to teach. “Because there is a different approach required to teach at this school. Teachers are the main key; we must not let a large investment yield results that fall short of our expectations,” Muhdi stressed.

Meanwhile, input regarding health facilities was delivered by the Head of the Social, Women's Empowerment, and Child Protection Office of Kulon Progo Regency, Ernawati. She expressed hope for a dedicated health service unit at SRT 1 Kulon Progo. “If students have to go to the Community Health Center (Puskesmas), it takes time. So for quicker service, we propose having a health service unit within this school,” Ernawati requested.

Vice Chair of Committee III DPD RI, Ahmad Syauqi Soeratno, considered the availability of clean water to be an even more pressing issue, as the school currently still relies on water tanker deliveries. “Health facilities are necessary, but the basic need, clean water, has not been met yet, especially since the Vice Regent (of Kulon Progo) mentioned making the nearest Puskesmas an inpatient facility,” said the DPD RI Member representing DIY.

All inputs and aspirations gathered during this meeting will be presented by Committee III to the Minister of Social Affairs during a Working Meeting scheduled for mid-September. Following the meeting, the Leadership and Members of Committee III directly inspected the facilities at SRT 1 Kulon Progo, including elementary classrooms, sports fields, the cafeteria, and student dormitories.*