Abdul Mu'ti Discusses Prospects for Changes in Teacher Recruitment Scheme

Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that the government is formulating a new scheme for recruiting teachers in line with the enactment of Ministerial Circular Number 7 of 2026 on the Assignment of Non-Civil Servant (ASN) Teachers in Educational Units. The circular prohibits non-ASN teachers from teaching in public schools as of 30 December 2026.

“While we make decisions until 31 December (2026). After that, we don’t know yet. Just wait because there is likely to be a change in the teacher recruitment scheme in 2027. The scheme may change,” said Mu’ti to reporters at the Office of the Indonesian Communication Agency, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.

Nevertheless, Mu’ti has not yet been able to provide details of these changes. He mentioned that the formulation of the new scheme is still in the discussion stage with the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform. “The changes cannot yet be shared because they have not become a decision. Be a little patient, yes,” said Mu’ti.

Previously, the fate of non-ASN teachers became a question following the issuance of the circular prohibiting them from teaching in public schools starting in 2027. The ban is contained in Ministerial Circular Number 7 of 2026 on the Assignment of Non-Civil Servant (ASN) Teachers in Educational Units, which was issued on 23 March 2026.

According to Mu’ti, the decision is a follow-up to the implementation of the 2023 ASN Law, which prohibits honorary or non-ASN personnel from teaching in public schools. He stated that the decision should have been implemented in 2024.

However, due to the many unresolved issues with honorary staff, the ministerial decision prohibiting non-ASN teachers from teaching in public schools will only take effect in 2027.

Nevertheless, Mu’ti continued, because it concerns policy and the implementation of the ASN Law, the issue of the fate of non-ASN teachers will be clearer if explained by the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform. “I think it will be cleaner and clearer if explained by the Minister of PANRB,” he said.