In between her official duties, Natuna Regent Cen Sui Lan took the time to directly inspect the facilities of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School/SR), which is scheduled to be inaugurated and begin operations on September 5, 2025.
In Natuna Regency, the SR—an initiative of the central government—is temporarily utilizing the Hajj Dormitory building located in the Natuna Gerbang Utaraku Complex, Ranai. The inauguration will be carried out simultaneously across Indonesia by the President of the Republic of Indonesia on September 5.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, the SR in Natuna has registered 100 students at each level of education, ranging from Grade 1 of elementary school to Grade 1 of senior high school. This integrated cross-level education program is expected to address the educational needs of border communities while serving as a solution to provide equitable access to quality education.
During her visit, Cen Sui Lan emphasized that the SR program represents the state’s presence among the people, ensuring that every school-age child receives proper and inclusive educational opportunities.
Ahead of the inauguration, Cen Sui Lan instructed all SR organizers to ensure that all facilities and infrastructure are fully prepared, from classrooms and sanitation facilities to supporting areas for teaching and learning activities.
She also expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the leading sector in ensuring the readiness of facilities, supporting infrastructure, and the availability of teaching staff for Natuna’s SR.
The SR will be managed by one principal and 17 teachers who have been directly appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs. These teachers were selected through a rigorous process that prioritized competence, dedication, and commitment to community service.
The SR program has so far received positive responses from the local community. Many parents, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, expressed gratitude that their children have regained the opportunity to pursue education.
With strong support from both the central and local governments, the Sekolah Rakyat is expected to nurture a generation of outstanding and character-driven students, while strengthening the foundation for human resource development in the border region. (Prokopim/Patli)
RILIS PERS, Number : 0530/PRO_KOPIM/2025
