Education Ministry Allocates Budget for 150,000 Teachers to Pursue Bachelor's Degrees

The Indonesian Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will allocate a budget in 2026 for 150,000 teachers to pursue a bachelor’s degree (S1), aiming to improve the qualifications and quality of teaching staff across the country. “This year, we are providing a scholarship of Rp3 million per semester for each teacher who does not yet hold a bachelor’s degree to enrol in an S1 education programme,” said Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Prof. Abdul Mu’ti in Pangkalpinang on Thursday. He stated that the ministry is committing funds in 2026 for 150,000 teachers to participate in D4 or S1 programmes. The programme is specifically for teachers who do not yet hold a D4 or S1 degree to pursue an S1 qualification through a recognition of prior learning (RPL) scheme, with scholarships provided for these teaching staff. He noted that this S1 programme for teachers currently holding D1, D2, or D3 diplomas is part of the ministry’s efforts to improve teacher qualifications. “In improving teacher qualifications, we are also conducting various training sessions to enhance the competence and academic standing of these unsung heroes,” he added. The ministry will implement five training programmes this year, including deep learning pedagogy and counselling guidance training, where all teachers must carry out counselling duties as homeroom teachers. English language training will also be provided, as English will become a compulsory subject starting from grade 3 of primary school in 2027. Other training includes the Sport Education Model (SEM). “This year, we are also training teachers to master artificial intelligence (AI) and aquaponics. Currently, AI and aquaponics are elective subjects, but in the future, if the number of qualified teachers is sufficient, they will become compulsory subjects starting from grade 5 of primary school,” he said.