174 Sekolah Rakyat principals not fully ready for MPLS
A Kemensos survey found only 18 percent fully ready, while staffing, budgets and training remain the main gaps.
The Ministry of Social Affairs said principal capacity will determine the quality of Sekolah Rakyat ahead of the 2026/2027 school year. In a briefing for 191 principals in Kulon Progo, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf urged school leaders to build systems that can develop all students, not just a handful of high achievers. A survey of 174 principals found mental readiness at 8.95 on a 10-point scale and confidence in decision-making at 8.74. However, only 18 percent said they were fully ready to face Masa Pengenalan Lingkungan Sekolah, 26 percent said they were partially ready, 38 percent still faced significant constraints, and 17 percent were not ready. Their main needs included more teachers and education staff, Pusdiklat guidance, clearer budgets and further training. In the field, Kemensos also noted water supply problems, staffing status issues and the construction of permanent buildings.