DPR Calls for Phased Introduction of French in Schools

Deputy Chair of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Lalu Hadrian Irfani, has criticised President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to implement French language instruction across all education levels nationwide. He proposed a phased approach to ensure technical readiness on the ground.

According to Lalu, if the government is not fully prepared, French should not be made mandatory nationwide immediately but introduced as an optional subject or special program in select schools first.

‘Strengthening foreign language skills is important, but education policy must be based on national needs, teacher readiness, curriculum, and tangible benefits for students,’ Lalu stated in a written statement from Jakarta on Friday (29 May).

Lalu also urged the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) to provide detailed clarification on the roadmap for the plan. He stressed the importance of aligning the President’s diplomatic vision with the reality of regional education infrastructure.

Previously, President Prabowo expressed his desire to expand French language learning in Indonesia as part of strengthening educational cooperation. This was stated during a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday (28 May) local time.

‘In education, we want to further improve. I have instructed that all levels of Indonesian schools must learn French, considering future global developments,’ President Prabowo said, as monitored via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.

The directive is seen as part of the government’s broader strategy to prepare Indonesian human resources to compete globally, given France’s status as a major economic and political power.

However, Commission X of the DPR warned that introducing new subjects requires thorough assessment of student workload and the availability of certified foreign language teachers across the archipelago.