Deputy Minister of Education Meets Student Protesters, Assures No Programme Closures
Observation at the site showed Fauzan meeting with student masses from the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI), BEM SI Kerakyatan, and Cipayung Plus. He also stated that the ministry is opening its doors as widely as possible to students who wish to engage in dialogue on issues of improvement in the field of education.
“Brothers and sisters, what you have made as demands is our shared resolve. The Ministry of Higher Education also has a strong focus on combating cheating, behaviours considered contrary to Indonesian national morals and ethics,” Fauzan said in front of the Kemendiktisaintek office in Central Jakarta on Monday (4/5/2026).
“Let us together make the campus a fortress of morals, a fortress of ethics, so that you at your respective campuses, if you detect behaviours that are unpleasant, considered deviant from ethical morals, I invite you to communicate directly,” he continued.
On this occasion, he also assured that there would be no elimination of academic programmes. As for cases of sexual harassment that have recently frequently occurred in campus environments, they will be dealt with justly.
“I want to try to clarify some issues. First, the issue related to the closure of academic programmes, that does not exist. There is no closure of academic programmes, yes, that does not exist. What exists is reorganisation. Meaning, reorganisation does not close. Reorganisation provides strengthening to the academic programmes. And this is not only a matter of teacher training, but also other academic programmes,” he stated.
“And then next, regarding sexual harassment. Once again, I convey to you brothers and sisters that sexual harassment or other immoral attitudes, including corruption in the higher education environment, then we are obliged by law to be the first to defend against things considered deviant,” he added.
He also did not deny that education issues have always been interesting to study from the past until now. Therefore, all demands presented by the students today will be sought solutions for.
“What you brothers and sisters propose, insyaallah we will follow up. Of course using mechanisms. Some can be quick, but some must use mechanisms. Of course this requires patience, yes.”
“So brothers and sisters, I think, I hope, you are also mature in responding to this situation. You may note my number, my mobile number. Whenever you can meet me in this office. Yes, I think that’s it,” he concluded.
At this moment, several student representatives conveyed several of their demands. In particular, BEM SI Kerakyatan submitted a seven-point integrity pact to be signed by Fauzan representing Minister of Education Brian Yuliarto.
The integrity pact signed by Fauzan is as follows:
On this day, Monday, 4 May 2026, we hereby declare a joint commitment to realise a national education system that is just, inclusive, and oriented towards the interests of the people, grounded in constitutional values and the ideals of social justice. In connection with this, we agree to:
Place education as the primary priority of the state in every formulation and implementation of public policy.
Eliminate all forms of commercialisation and liberalisation of education that contradict the principles of social justice.
Realise education that is free, scientific, and democratic as a fundamental right of all Indonesian citizens.
Ensure transparency and accountability of education budgets openly and accessible to the public.
Guarantee academic freedom and space for critical thinking for the academic community without any intervention or pressure.
Create a safe educational environment, both structurally and culturally. Because we know that all sexual violence or physical violence still exists, in higher education or basic education.
Improve the welfare of educators and education personnel, including honorary staff, through fair, decent, and sustainable policies.
This integrity pact is made as a form of moral and political commitment that binds to be immediately realised concretely, measurably, and sustainably.
If within 2 x 24 hours since the signing of this integrity pact there are no concrete steps and clear follow-up from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, then the BEM SI Kerakyatan Alliance together with the civil society coalition declares that it will again carry out mass actions simultaneously in various regions of Indonesia with a larger number of participants as a form of escalation of the movement and social control over national education organisers.
Thus, this integrity pact is made to be signed in a conscious state, without coercion from any party, and to be obeyed and implemented with full responsibility.
The demonstration ended peacefully. The student masses dispersed in the afternoon shortly after rain hit the protest site.