Indonesia plans phased rollout of free public and state university education

President Prabowo Subianto has directed the Indonesian government to prepare a plan for free public education, covering kindergarten through secondary school, alongside a phased rollout of tuition-free programs at state universities. The initiative aims to shift education costs from households to the state, addressing the significant financial burden on families. Statistics Indonesia reported that average yearly costs for higher education reached approximately Rp13.96 million in 2024.

The Indonesian Private Higher Education Association (APTISI) has responded to the proposal, supporting the direction of free education but urging the government to include students from private universities (PTS). APTISI Chairman Muhammad Budi Djatmiko suggested that assistance should be based on economic need rather than campus status, specifically recommending that students in the lowest economic deciles (1–4) be prioritized regardless of whether they attend public or private institutions.

APTISI also cautioned that universal free tuition at state universities could cause a shift in enrollment that might threaten the sustainability of private institutions, which rely heavily on tuition fees for operations. The government is currently discussing implementation details, with the 2027 draft budget allocating Rp820.9 trillion toward education quality, infrastructure, and student support.