DPR Assures Public Participation in Drafting of National Education System Bill

The Chair of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Hetifah Sjaifudian, has assured that the drafting of the Bill on Amendments to Law Number 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System (RUU Sisdiknas) involves meaningful public participation. “The drafting of the RUU Sisdiknas has been carried out in a participatory manner from the outset by involving various elements of society. The input we have received from various regions and stakeholder groups forms an important part of refining the substance of this bill,” Hetifah stated in Jakarta on Thursday, 9 July 2026. Hetifah explained that the drafting of the RUU Sisdiknas is a lengthy process that began in January 2025. Over more than a year, Commission X has conducted numerous meetings, working visits, public discussions, and consultations with relevant ministries and agencies, local governments, academics, professional organisations, education providers, community organisations, and various other stakeholders. An internal meeting of Commission X on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, agreed to proceed with the bill to the harmonisation stage, marked by the submission of the draft to the DPR’s Legislation Body (Baleg). According to her, harmonisation at Baleg is a crucial stage in the law-making process, especially since the RUU Sisdiknas integrates various educational regulations currently scattered across several laws into a single, more comprehensive and unified regulatory framework. “We have gone through a fairly long drafting process. The harmonisation stage at Baleg is an important part of further refining the substance of the bill before it is later designated as a DPR RI initiative proposal,” she said. Although it has entered the harmonisation stage, Hetifah emphasised that space for public participation remains open. The public can still provide input, criticism, and suggestions for improving the bill’s substance in the subsequent stages. “Public participation does not stop at the draft preparation stage. During the harmonisation process at Baleg and in the subsequent deliberation stages, public input remains very important to ensure the RUU Sisdiknas truly addresses the needs of national education,” she said. After harmonisation is complete, the RUU Sisdiknas will be brought to a DPR RI plenary session to seek approval as a DPR RI initiative proposal. Subsequently, deliberation will continue with the government at the first-level talks, before being brought to the second level, namely a plenary session for approval and enactment.