Basic and Secondary Education Minister Inaugurates National Education Council to Strengthen Fourth Pillar Implementation

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti has inaugurated members of the National Education Council for Basic and Secondary Education for the 2026–2031 period to strengthen implementation of the fourth pillar of the government’s Asta Cita agenda.

The minister explained that the establishment of the National Education Council for Basic and Secondary Education represents a new historical milestone, as it has been formed for the first time in accordance with the mandate of Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System.

“We have the vision of Quality Education for All as part of implementing the President’s Asta Cita. We place this vision within a framework of optimism that every Indonesian child has the right to receive quality education,” Minister Mu’ti said in Jakarta on Saturday.

In line with the fourth pillar of the Asta Cita, the minister stated that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education remains committed to strengthening basic and secondary education as an important foundation for subsequent levels of education.

Furthermore, he conveyed that the ministry currently has a mandate from President Prabowo Subianto to continue advancing education, particularly basic and secondary education.

This focus, he said, encompasses strengthening character and national civilisation through education, as well as enhancing competency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to equip young people with skills relevant to facing the future.

“We hope that in our future work we will receive constructive input—input that enables us to work better and to fulfil our mandate to enlighten the nation’s life,” he added.

He further noted that institutionally, the National Education Council for Basic and Secondary Education has a strategic function in helping ensure that all Indonesian children obtain their constitutional right to quality education.

Therefore, Minister Mu’ti also called on the newly-inaugurated council members to collaborate with the entire Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in an atmosphere that is open, collaborative, and mutually respectful.

“We hope that you can collaborate with our entire ministry team, which we have built with a culture of friendliness and courtesy. We strive to be open to various suggestions and to learn from you all so that we can work even better,” the minister said.