The Graduate Student Association of the Master’s Program in Social Welfare Studies at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta successfully organized a workshop titled “Examining the Residential Care Model of Sekolah Rakyat from a Social Work Perspective” on Friday, 28 November 2025. The event was held in the Meeting Room of the Faculty of Dakwah and Communication from 07:30 to 11:30 AM and was attended by students, lecturers, and practitioners concerned with child welfare issues and the development of education-based social services. The workshop aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the Sekolah Rakyat model as a form of residential care that integrates educational functions with boarding services for children from underprivileged families. This model is considered to significantly expand access to education for vulnerable groups, while at the same time presenting several challenges requiring professional management, particularly in relation to psychosocial well-being, caregiving dynamics, and dormitory governance.

In the main session, Abdul Najib, M.Si., Operational Service Manager of Sekolah Rakyat NTB, presented best practices, service structures, and operational dynamics in implementing community-based residential care. He emphasized the importance of safe caregiving standards that are responsive to child development and adaptable to individual needs and social contexts. His presentation offered a concrete illustration of the complex processes involved in managing child welfare within a residential setting.

The event continued with an interactive discussion exploring various strategic issues, such as program sustainability, funding challenges, the risk of children’s dependency on school-boarding systems, and the need for stronger regulations and caregiving standards. Several case studies were also presented to depict real-world situations commonly encountered by administrators and educators in residential care services. The discussion broadened participants’ perspectives and reinforced the crucial role of social work in ensuring safe, responsive, and sustainable caregiving environments for children within such systems.

The workshop is expected to contribute to the advancement of academic inquiry and professional social work practice in education-based residential care services, while also strengthening the academic commitment of the Master’s Program in Social Welfare Studies at UIN Sunan Kalijaga to issues of child protection and well-being.