# Digital transformation and school revitalization in SE Asia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/digital-transformation-in-southeast-asian-public-sectors
> Updated: 2026-10-23T03:02:34.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 4.

Digital transformation and technological integration efforts are expanding across Southeast Asian public and educational sectors. In Brunei Darussalam, the Ministry of Development held a strategic workshop to establish digital transformation goals for 2026–2030, focusing on enhancing service priorities, data requirements, and system interoperability to create integrated, user-oriented services involving various government departments and industry stakeholders.

In Indonesia, digital initiatives are being applied to religious and educational institutions. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is enhancing madrasah quality through programs like the Garuda Transformation Excellence School and the revitalization of 74 madrasahs slated for 2025, which includes the distribution of 2,180 interactive digital boards to 551 institutions. Financial support continues through the Program Indonesia Pintar (PIP) and KIP Kuliah programs. In Jakarta, the PW RMI-NU and Smart Wartel Santri introduced digital communication systems and artificial intelligence (AI) to Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), allowing students to communicate with parents via applications without needing personal mobile phones. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has also expressed support for initiatives to strengthen digital literacy among santri, focusing on AI, big data, cybersecurity, and digital entrepreneurship.

Legislators from Commission VIII of the DPR, collaborating with UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta, are pushing for inclusive education to address bullying, AI integration, and disability needs, while advocating for increased educator welfare budgets by 2027. Under President Prabowo Subianto, the government continues scaling infrastructure upgrades, with long-term targets aiming to complete all remaining school renovations by 2029 to support the ‘Indonesia Emas 2045’ vision.

## Claims

- Commission VIII of the DPR, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta are promoting inclusive education in madrasahs. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Madrasahs face challenges regarding inclusive education, artificial intelligence, and bullying. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Madrasah institutions are becoming increasingly competitive with other schools. (single source)
- Seventy-four madrasahs are scheduled to receive facility revitalization benefits in 2025. (single source)
- The Ministry of Religious Affairs has distributed 2,180 interactive digital boards to 551 madrasahs. (single source)
- Commission VIII of the DPR is advocating for budget support to improve educator welfare in 2027. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Indonesian officials promote digital literacy and inclusive learning in madrasahs

Indonesian leaders are pushing for enhanced digital literacy and inclusive, humanist learning environments within madrasahs and Islamic boarding schools.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesian-officials-promote-digital-literacy-and-inclusive-learning-in-madrasahs

### 2026-10-17: Indonesia launches massive national school revitalization program

Indonesia is launching a massive school revitalization program, targeting tens of thousands of facilities nationwide, including 214 schools in Papua, to improve educational equity and infrastructure.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-expands-digital-learning-and-school-revitalization-programs

### 2026-10-03: Indonesia enhances madrasah education through digital tools and inclusive policies

Indonesia is enhancing madrasah education through infrastructure revitalization, digital tools, and a push for inclusive learning environments to address challenges like AI and bullying.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-enhances-madrasah-education-through-digital-tools-and-inclusive-policies

### 2026-09-24: Digital transformation initiatives launched in Brunei and Indonesia

Digital transformation initiatives are advancing in Brunei's Ministry of Development and through new AI-driven communication systems for Islamic boarding schools in Jakarta, Indonesia.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/digital-transformation-initiatives-launched-in-brunei-and-indonesia

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Cite as: Digital transformation and school revitalization in SE Asia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/digital-transformation-in-southeast-asian-public-sectors