<![CDATA[The persistent inequality in educational services remains a fundamental issue that hinders the achievement of equitable education in Indonesia, particularly for vulnerable groups living in remote, disadvantaged, and impoverished areas. This condition necessitates the emergence of alternative educational approaches capable of reaching populations whose educational rights have not been adequately fulfilled through formal pathways. This study aims to conduct an in-depth exploration of the role of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) Program as a form of community-based education initiated by civil society organizations in expanding learning access, increasing educational participation, and strengthening the sustainability of learning at the grassroots level. A qualitative approach with a multi-site design was employed, involving three Sekolah Rakyat located in West Java, Central Java, and South Sulawesi. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with facilitators, volunteers, learners, and community leaders, as well as through participatory observation and document analysis. The data were analyzed thematically through processes of reduction, categorization, and interpretation. The findings reveal that Sekolah Rakyat provides a more flexible and contextually relevant learning model aligned with the socio-economic conditions of local communities. The program offers alternative educational opportunities for school dropouts, child laborers, and adult learners who are unable to participate in formal education. Beyond expanding access, Sekolah Rakyat functions as a medium for community empowerment through active community involvement, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and continuous support from volunteer educators]]>
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