Garuda Excellent Senior High School Program Expands Access to Quality Education

The Government continues to reaffirm its commitment to developing human resources through high-quality, competitive education.

This commitment is reflected in the Garuda Excellent Senior High School Program, part of the Government’s strategy to expand access to quality education and nurture outstanding talents to support Indonesia’s progress.

The Garuda Excellent Senior High School is implemented under Presidential Regulation Number 116 of 2025 on the Implementation of Garuda Excellent Senior High Schools.

The policy forms part of the Government’s efforts to provide secondary education that equips students to become high-achieving graduates with strong character, prepared to pursue further studies at leading universities in Indonesia and abroad.

The development of Garuda Excellent Senior High School is also in line with Presidential Instruction Number 7 of 2025 on Accelerating the Implementation of the Program for the Development and Revitalization of Early Childhood, Basic, and Secondary Education Institutions; the Development and Management of Garuda Excellent Senior High Schools; and the Digitalization of Learning.

Two Implementation Models

Garuda Excellent Senior High School is implemented through two models, namely New Garuda Excellent Senior High Schools (SMA Unggul Garuda Baru) and Garuda Excellent Senior High School Transformation (SMA Unggul Garuda Transformasi). While the two models adopt different approaches, they share a common objective: to improve the quality of education and nurture Indonesia’s outstanding young talent.

New Garuda Excellent Senior High Schools are educational institutions built and managed by the Central Government to provide high-quality education, supported by integrated facilities, conducive learning environments, and student development programs. Under this scheme, the Government is developing schools in several strategic locations: East Belitung regency in Bangka Belitung Islands province, Bulungan regency in North Kalimantan province, South Central Timor regency in East Nusa Tenggara province, and South Konawe regency in Southeast Sulawesi province.

The development of schools in these regions is part of efforts to expand access to access high-quality education, ensuring that these opportunities are not limited to specific communities or regions.

Meanwhile, Garuda Excellent Senior High School Transformation strengthens existing senior high schools or Islamic senior high schools that meet the criteria set out in Presidential Regulation Number 116 of 2025. Rather than establishing new educational institutions, this model enhances the capacity of existing schools through enrichment programs.

Under Presidential Regulation Number 116 of 2025, enrichment under the Garuda Excellent Senior High School Transformation includes strengthening school management, enhancing the competencies of teachers and education personnel, and supporting student development. These efforts aim to create a higher-quality educational environment that enables students to excel in both academic and non-academic pursuits.

Through this transformation approach, the Government is not only establishing new centers of educational excellence but also extending the benefits of improved education quality by building on and strengthening existing educational institutions across various regions.

Expanding Opportunities for Indonesia’s Young Generations

The Garuda Excellent Senior High School Program aims to expand opportunities for Indonesia’s most talented students from diverse regions and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Government believes that every Indonesian child has the potential to thrive and succeed when given access to quality education and a supportive learning environment. The development of Garuda Excellent Senior High School is therefore one of the Government’s efforts to expand these opportunities.

Through targeted development programs, students are encouraged to strengthen their academic abilities, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The educational process also emphasizes character development, leadership, independence, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

Preparing Talent for Indonesia’s Future

Human resource development is a long-term investment in building an advanced, independent, and prosperous Indonesia. In this context, education plays a strategic role in preparing a generation equipped not only academic capabilities, but also with the character and competencies needed to meet future challenges.

Garuda Excellent Senior High Schools are expected to contribute to a national education ecosystem that nurtures outstanding talents, particularly in science and technology, while fostering integrity, a national outlook, and a commitment to public service.

Through New Garuda Excellent Senior High Schools and the Garuda Excellent Senior High School Transformation model, the Government seeks to build an education ecosystem in which the models complement each other. New Garuda Excellent Senior High Schools establish new centers of educational excellence, while Garuda Transformation schools improve education by strengthening of existing schools.

With support from the central and regional governments, education institutions, educators, parents, and all stakeholders, the Garuda Excellent Senior High School Program is expected to expand access to quality education and nurture a generation ready to advance national development and enhance Indonesia’s progress and competitiveness. (PR of Ministry of State Secretariat) (EST/MEP)