Indonesian educational reform and teacher training

The Indonesian Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has initiated several programs to modernize the national curriculum and improve teacher capabilities.

In late August 2026, the ministry launched an upskilling and reskilling program for 118 vocational high school (SMK) teachers across 11 provinces. Minister Abdul Mu’ti stated that the goal is to align vocational education with technological shifts and labor market demands, emphasizing entrepreneurship and soft skills over traditional office roles. The initiative seeks to leverage local potential, such as agriculture and fisheries, to foster economic independence.

Following this, the ministry introduced the National STEM Program to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Aimed at supporting the ‘Indonesia Emas 2045’ vision, the program focuses on reducing regional educational gaps and fostering critical thinking from early childhood. Implementation strategies include teacher training, the development of learning modules, and the creation of ‘Ruang Karya’ (Workspaces) in elementary schools to connect academic concepts to real-world local issues.