Education Is Investment In Indonesia’s Future, President Prabowo Says

President Prabowo Subianto delivers his introductory remarks at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (10/20). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

Education sector is a fundamental investment for Indonesia’s future, according to President Prabowo Subianto.

The President made the statement during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting, held at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (10/20).

On that occasion, he also mentioned various achievements and breakthroughs in education sector during his administration. One of which is Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program, the Government’s free school program, aiming at ensuring access to quality education for all people.
So far, from the 500 Sekolah Rakyat planned by the Government, 166 schools have officially started operating and are accommodating 15,945 students from the lowest-income families.

“We must have the courage to change, to break the cycle of poverty. We can’t just give up to our circumstances,” he said.

In addition to the Sekolah Rakyat, the Government has also established 10 Garuda Excellence Schools which are dedicated to high-achieving students from across Indonesia. The schools adopt the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum standard and are expected to produce graduates who can gain admission to the world’s top universities.

“The IB system means graduates are recognized in any of the best universities worldwide. Through this program, we hope many of our students will attend top schools around the world such as Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and the like,” he said.

In an effort to improve educational facilities, the Government is currently renovating 16,140 elementary, junior high, and senior high school buildings. In addition, the education transformation is also being carried out by providing interactive digital devices (interactive flat panels/IFPs) to every school.

“Interactive flat panels/IFP can store hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, of pieces of content. All of our syllabi will be available right there,” he said adding that the Government also has a goal to establish 7,000 schools that integrate elementary (SD), junior high (SMP), and senior high/vocational schools (SMA/SMK) within a single education campus.

Also on that occasion, the Head of State shared his appreciation to Universitas Indonesia for breaking into the Top 200 of the QS World University Rankings for the first time.

“Nevertheless, I’ve asked the Minister of Higher Education and Vice Minister to aim for the Top 100. Can we do it? I believe we can. And I’m sure ITB, UGM, ITS, and other universities will follow soon after,” he concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RAS/LW)