President Prabowo Subianto visited a Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) middle school in Bali’s Tabanan District on Sunday, where he advocated for character building and academic discipline as essential tools for economic advancement. During the event, the President urged students to remain diligent, respect their teachers, and maintain positive personal integrity to secure their long-term success.
Did You Know?
The Sekolah Rakyat program currently operates with only one school in the province of Bali, a limitation President Prabowo Subianto aims to address by directing officials to identify new sites for expansion.
Addressing Bullying and Personal Fortitude
During his visit, President Prabowo addressed the issue of student harassment by sharing his own experiences with public scrutiny. He referenced a conversation with student Gede Bagus Abimanyu, who had previously faced bullying, to emphasize the importance of resilience.
“It is not just you; I often face mockery, even today. Even the president is often scoffed at,” Prabowo said during his remarks. He encouraged students to maintain “firm and good hearts” and to respond to criticism with wisdom rather than hostility, suggesting that such composure fosters personal strength.
Expanding Educational Access
The President emphasized the need for immediate growth within the tuition-free school system. Noting that current capacity in Bali is limited to a single facility for economically disadvantaged children, he called for an accelerated expansion of the program.
Prabowo pledged that the central government would provide support to district leaders to help identify and prepare locations for future schools. While the timeline for this expansion remains to be determined, the President’s directive establishes a clear priority for government officials to increase the availability of these resources.
Expert Insight:
The President’s focus on character development alongside infrastructure expansion suggests a dual-track strategy for his domestic agenda. By framing individual integrity as a precursor to economic mobility, he is attempting to link national policy directly to the personal habits of the youth, while simultaneously signaling to local officials that education expansion is a top-tier administrative mandate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary focus of the President’s visit to the Bali school?
President Prabowo visited to encourage students to prioritize character development, academic discipline, and respect for their parents as a means to improve their families’ economic well-being.
How did the President address the topic of bullying?
He shared his own personal experience with mockery to encourage students to maintain a “firm and good heart” and to respond to criticism with politeness rather than losing heart.
What is the future plan for the Sekolah Rakyat program?
The President has directed government officials to prioritize the expansion of the program, pledging central government support to help district leaders identify and prepare sites for new schools.
How do you believe focusing on character education alongside school expansion will impact long-term economic outcomes for students?
