PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government opened the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) for 427 students at Integrated Elementary School 1.

Acting Regent of Bekasi Asep Surya Atmaja opened the MPLS at the People's School Hall, Bekasi Regency Government Complex (31/8/2026).

The program provides educational opportunities for children from Bekasi Regency and Bekasi City, including those in need of educational support.

Asep emphasized that education is the right of every child, so economic conditions should not hinder the opportunity to obtain an education.

"Education is the right of every child of the nation. No child should be deprived of the opportunity to learn and achieve their future simply because of economic circumstances or the limitations they face," said Asep.

According to Asep, the People's School is a government step to open access to education while preparing the future of children from families in need.

"This school is not just a place to learn. The People's School is a place to build hope and prepare for the future," he said.

Asep asked students to take advantage of this opportunity by studying seriously, respecting teachers, loving friends, and pursuing their dreams.

"Study diligently, respect your teachers, love your friends, and never give up on your dreams. I'm confident this school will produce great generations who will bring change to their families, their regions, and the nation," he said.

Head of the Bekasi Regency Social Service, Alamsyah, said that 427 students were attending Integrated Elementary School 1 in Bekasi Regency.

"The number of students who will start MPLS today is 427 students, coming from Bekasi Regency and Bekasi City," explained Alamsyah.

The program targets children who have not yet attended school or those who have attended school but are unable to continue their education.

"The main goal is of course to improve access to education for our children, especially those who are not yet in school or have dropped out, or who have attended school but were unable to continue," he said.

Students come from families in the first and second deciles with a boarding school education concept to build independence while improving the quality of family life.

"We hope that our children can become agents of change to improve the economic and health status of their families," he said.

For Bekasi Regency, there are 270 quotas available with 237 students already filled, consisting of 57 elementary school students, 90 middle school students, and 90 high school students.

The Bekasi Regency Government will continue verification and validation to fulfill the remaining student quota from Bekasi Regency.

The acceptance process uses initial data from the Ministry of Social Affairs which is verified together with local governments, sub-districts, villages, RT/RW, PKH assistants, Regsos, IPSM, and other social elements.

Alamsyah said the school's construction progressed quickly with the support of various parties, from rice fields to educational facilities in about eight months.

"Eight months ago, this was still a cultivated and planted rice paddy. Thank God, thanks to collaboration with all stakeholders, from planning to advocacy, it's finally here in Bekasi Regency," he said.

Alamsyah hopes that the People's School will provide opportunities for children from needy families to improve their education while simultaneously improving their families' economic conditions.

"This People's School is one school, a thousand dreams and a million achievements," he concluded.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/bhf)