Bantul People’s School 19 Builds Humanizing Education

Daftarsbmptn.com – In an education system that often emphasizes academics and competition, SRMA 19 Bantul has chosen a different approach: education that fosters humanization, character, empathy, and social responsibility.

The school, which enrolls approximately 200 students 116 girls and 84 boys implements a full-boarding model. Students live at the school with a guardian who accompanies them from morning to night, not just as a supervisor, but as a friend and family member.

A three-month adaptation period is used to understand each student’s background and tailor the support to a personalized setting.

The guardian not only monitors learning but also participates in daily activities with the students: breakfast together, exercise, casual discussions, and even dormitory duty. The goal is to instill independence, solidarity, and discipline through example, not punishment.
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Example policy: restricted device use male students are only allowed to use their phones on Sundays, female students on Saturdays, for a maximum of four hours each.

“After getting to know their environment and feeling accepted, their enthusiasm grows. From there, the learning process becomes more meaningful,” said the Deputy Head of Student Affairs at SRMA 19.

In addition to academic activities, the school also encourages social and environmental activities: students are encouraged to plant trees, maintain collective cleanliness, share, and collaborate. This is considered a concrete manifestation of “human education,” beyond simply pursuing grades.

Government Support & Official Visits
The school’s activities have received attention from the government. Agus Jabo Priyono, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, visited SRMA 19 on October 25, 2025. During his visit, he emphasized that the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) is a form of state support for children from underprivileged families.

“You can’t go to school not because of your own fault, but because of limitations. This is where the state welcomes you,” he emphasized.

He further emphasized three things that are strictly prohibited in schools: bullying, verbal and non-verbal violence, and discrimination. Schools are expected to be a safe second home and support the development of students’ character.

This visit also confirmed that this school is one of the pilot programs of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs’ national program to accelerate the eradication of extreme poverty through access to education for children from low-socioeconomic families.

Challenges & Opportunities
Despite many positive achievements, SRMA 19 also faces real challenges. It was previously reported that several students withdrew due to difficulties adjusting to the crowded dormitory system and the new environment.

School officials and the local government are approaching the students’ families to determine the reasons for their withdrawal and find solutions to help them return to school.
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Facilities are also a concern such as the technical condition of the dormitory, which is still under repair. During the Minister of Social Affairs’ visit, students complained about things like blocked water and a lack of bed linens. The government promised immediate improvements.

However, the impact of the humanistic approach is already clear: many students who were initially quiet or insecure are now becoming more confident, more active in speaking, and taking positive initiatives in school activities.

Meaning & Hope
SRMA 19 Bantul presents itself as a model of inclusive education that humanizes—not just focusing on academic achievement, but also developing each student into a whole person with feelings, empathy, and social responsibility. This school demonstrates that when the learning environment is supportive and mentoring is provided with a fully personalized approach, children previously considered “limited” can thrive and dream big.

Going forward, the success of this model could serve as a national example of how the education system can act as a bridge for social change and mobility for underprivileged families. With the support of good facilities, mentoring, and sustainability, SRMA 19 may pave the way for a generation of young people who are not only intelligent, but also possess character and care for others.