150,000 Teachers to Receive Undergraduate Scholarships with IDR 3 Million Budget per Semester

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will allocate a budget in 2026 for 150,000 teachers to pursue undergraduate (S1) education, aiming to improve the qualifications and quality of teaching staff in Indonesia. “This year, we are providing a scholarship of IDR 3 million per semester for each teacher who does not yet hold an S1 degree to participate in an S1 education programme,” said Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Prof. Abdul Mu’ti in Pangkalpinang on Thursday (2/7). He stated that the ministry will allocate a budget for 150,000 teachers to enrol in D4 or S1 programmes as part of the government’s commitment to improving teacher qualifications across Indonesia. “This programme is specifically for teachers who do not yet hold a D4 or S1 degree to participate in an S1 education programme with a recognition of prior learning (RPL) system, for which scholarships are provided for these teaching staff,” he said. He noted that the S1 education programme for teachers who still hold D1, D2, and D3 qualifications is an effort by the ministry to improve teacher qualifications. “In improving teacher qualifications, we are also conducting various training sessions for teachers to enhance the competence and academic standing of these unsung heroes,” he added. He further stated that this year, the ministry will implement five training programmes for teachers, including deep learning training and counselling guidance training, where all teachers must carry out counselling duties as homeroom teachers. Additionally, English language training will be provided, as English will become a compulsory subject starting from grade 3 of primary school in 2027. There will also be Sport Education Model (SEM) training. “This year, we are also training teachers to master artificial intelligence (AI) and aquaponics. Currently, AI and aquaponics are still elective subjects, but in the future, if the number of teachers is sufficient, AI and aquaponics will become compulsory subjects starting from grade five of primary school,” he said.