Indonesia plans phased free education and school revitalization by 2027

The Indonesian government is implementing a series of major education reforms aimed at increasing accessibility and improving infrastructure. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has announced plans to introduce phased free education for all levels, covering both public and private schools, starting in 2027. This initiative will prioritize underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions to ensure equitable access for impoverished students.

To support infrastructure, Minister Abdul Mu'ti has set a target to revitalize 71,744 educational units by 2027. This program focuses on schools affected by disasters, those with severe damage, and those located in 3T areas. In East Java, local officials have already requested assistance for hundreds of damaged high schools, vocational schools, and special education centers.

Additionally, the government is addressing human resource concerns by preparing schemes to improve the welfare, career stability, and competence of honorary teachers and part-time government employees (PPPK). These measures are part of a broader commitment by President Prabowo Subianto to strengthen the national education ecosystem. Meanwhile, discussions regarding the removal of tuition fees at state universities are being balanced with the need to maintain the stability of private higher education institutions.