Deputy Chairman of Commission X Proposes Gradual Rollout of French Language Lessons

Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian People’s Representative Council, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, has proposed that President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to introduce French language lessons across all school levels be implemented gradually.

He stated that, given the government’s current lack of comprehensive readiness, French language instruction should be offered as an elective or special programme in select schools.

“Strengthening foreign language capabilities is indeed important,” Lalu said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday, 29 May 2026.

He emphasised that education policies must be formulated based on national needs, teacher readiness, curriculum considerations, and tangible benefits for students.

“The public must not perceive this policy as merely part of international diplomatic agendas without thorough educational planning,” he added.

President Prabowo previously instructed the expansion of French language learning across all education levels in Indonesia as part of strengthening educational cooperation with France.

The statement was made during a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday.

“In education, we aim to further strengthen collaboration. I have instructed that French be taught across all school levels in Indonesia, in light of future global developments,” President Prabowo said during a live-streamed address via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel in Jakarta on Thursday, 28 May.