# Indonesian free state education proposal

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indonesian-free-state-education-proposal
> Updated: 2026-09-23T06:45:26.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 2.

President Prabowo Subianto has proposed a policy to provide free education across all state-run levels, spanning from elementary school to state universities. The initiative aims to ensure equitable access for all Indonesian children regardless of economic background.

During a meeting at the Merdeka Palace on September 23, 2026, officials discussed specific mechanisms to support a 13-year compulsory education commitment. In the primary sector, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti announced that starting in 2027, kindergarten students from low-income families will receive Program Indonesia Pintar (PIP) funds of Rp450,000 per year. Additionally, School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds will be utilized to support both elementary and kindergarten schools, with up to 20 percent of BOS funds permitted for the salaries of non-ASN teachers in state schools.

To address higher education, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto stated the government is calculating the budget required to cover approximately 2.8 million students in vocational and academic programs (D3, D4, and S1). This estimated requirement of Rp93.7 trillion would replace existing revenues such as Single Tuition Fees (UKT) and institutional development fees (IPI). Implementation schemes under consideration include prioritizing new students or targeting specific economic deciles. Minister Pratikno has been appointed to lead a special team to analyze the financial feasibility of eliminating these tuition fees.

Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara noted that the program will be funded through the existing 2027 education budget allocation, projected to be around Rp820.9 trillion. Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf reported that the Sekolah Rakyat program currently serves over 44,000 students across 182 locations, with goals to establish permanent buildings in every regency and city.

## Claims

- President Prabowo Subianto held a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- The estimated budget needed to provide free education for 2,833,169 students in state universities is approximately Rp93.7 trillion. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The meeting focused on formulating policies to provide free public education from elementary school through state universities. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The meeting is a follow-up to a speech delivered by the President at the Jakarta International Convention Center on September 18, 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Sekolah Rakyat program operates at 182 locations, serving over 44,000 students. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The government's education agenda includes repairing damaged school facilities. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The government aims to increase teacher welfare and salaries. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds will now be provided to both elementary schools and kindergartens. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Options for free higher education will be determined based on the available fiscal space in the state budget (APBN). (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Salaries for honorer teachers will be paid through School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds at a rate of 20 percent. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Kindergarten students will receive PIP funds of 450,000 IDR per year starting in 2027. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A special team led by Coordinating Minister Pratikno has been formed to study the budget and implementation stages for free higher education. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Indonesia plans free public education from kindergarten to state universities

President Prabowo Subianto is advancing plans for free public education from kindergarten to state universities, with an estimated Rp93.7 trillion needed for higher education alone.

23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prabowo-subianto-holds-meeting-on-free-public-education

### 2026-09-20: Prabowo Subianto proposes free state education from elementary to university

President Prabowo Subianto plans to make all state-run education, from elementary school to university, free. Officials are analyzing the fiscal impact, with initial costs estimated at Rp93.7 trillion.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesias-commission-x-discusses-education-budget-and-teacher-welfare

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Cite as: Indonesian free state education proposal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indonesian-free-state-education-proposal