Surabaya, May 3 -- Indonesia aims to begin operating tuition-free Sekolah Rakyat schools by July at 97 construction sites, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said, as the government expands access to education for disadvantaged children.

"The Public Works Ministry is building Sekolah Rakyat facilities at 97 locations," Yusuf said during a site review in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday.

The projects mark Phase II of the program, following earlier operations at existing government facilities used as temporary schools since last year.

Yusuf said 67 permanent complexes are expected to be completed by the July target, while remaining sites will begin classes as construction continues.

Each site is designed to serve about 1,000 students...