DPR and Teachers React to Presidential Directive on French Language in Schools

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed schools across Indonesia to learn French. He made the directive during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris. The Gerindra Party chairman stated that Indonesia-France relations are at their best, and he aims to enhance cooperation in education. ‘I have now instructed that all levels of Indonesian schools must learn French, in view of future global developments,’ Prabowo said on Thursday afternoon, 28 May 2026, as broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel. Prabowo previously instructed the teaching of Portuguese in Indonesian schools during a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on 23 October 2025. At the time, he cited Portuguese as a priority foreign language in Indonesia’s education system to strengthen ties with Brazil. How have the House of Representatives (DPR) and teacher organisations responded to Prabowo’s directive on French language education? DPR Commission X Calls for Government Review Deputy Chair of DPR Commission X, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, has requested the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to clarify plans for implementing French language teaching in schools. The plan is said to stem from President Prabowo Subianto’s directive. Hadrian cautioned the government against hasty policy-making without considering the readiness of the national education system. ‘Previously, there was talk of teaching Portuguese, but as of now, there has been no visible follow-up in terms of roadmap, regulations, or implementation readiness,’ said the PKB politician in a written statement on Friday, 29 May 2026. According to Hadrian, education policies must be based on national needs, ensuring preparedness of educators, curriculum, and tangible benefits for students. He warned that Prabowo’s remarks to French President Macron should not merely serve as international diplomacy. ‘The public must not perceive this policy as part of international diplomacy without thorough educational planning,’ he said. During an upcoming working session with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, DPR Commission X will seek a full explanation of the plan within national education policy. If implementation readiness is insufficient, Hadrian urged a phased rollout of French language teaching rather than an immediate nationwide implementation. P2G Rejects Mandatory French Language in Schools The Teachers and Educators Association (P2G) has rejected President Prabowo Subianto’s directive for Indonesian schools to teach French. National Coordinator Satriwan Salim deemed the instruction unclear and unplanned, appearing to be mere diplomatic formalities. ‘Without warning, the President suddenly ordered all schools at all levels to teach French to students. This has left teachers and students both surprised and bewildered,’ Salim said in a written statement on Sunday, 30 May 2026. Salim highlighted Prabowo’s tendency to use school language subjects as diplomatic tools. Last year, for instance, Prabowo directed schools to teach Portuguese during Brazilian President Lula’s state visit. Salim suggested that Prabowo might add Japanese, Mandarin, or Dutch to the curriculum during bilateral meetings with those countries. ‘Managing education cannot be this casual,’ he said. Salim warned the policy could disrupt Indonesia’s education ecosystem. Mandating French at all school levels would add new curriculum burdens for students, given the current national curriculum structure is already heavily focused on existing subjects. Furthermore, the directive could strain the national teacher supply. With a shortage of 374,000 teachers in public schools, and assuming two French and Portuguese teachers per school across approximately 240,000 primary to high schools, an additional 480,000 foreign language teachers would be needed. Ministry to Review Prabowo’s Directive The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) stated it will review President Prabowo Subianto’s directive for French language instruction in schools. Deputy Minister Atip Latipulhayat said the ministry would follow up on the directive. ‘We will study and implement the President’s instructions,’ he said when contacted on Friday, 29 May 2026.