Government Guarantees Continuing Education for Migrant Workers' Children on National Children's Day 2026

The government guarantees continuing education for the children of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in Malaysia, both formally and non-formally, as a right on National Children’s Day (HAN) 2026. “In general, the Indonesian government is committed to fulfilling the basic right to education for Indonesian children in Malaysia. We also ensure that this access to education is sustainable so that Indonesian children can continue their education wherever they are,” said Education Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Romadhoni Surya Putra, to ANTARA in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Formally, the Indonesian government operates Indonesian Overseas Schools (SILN) in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu, covering kindergarten, primary, junior high, and senior high or vocational school levels. For non-formal education, the government, through its representatives in Malaysia, organises Community Learning Activity Centres (PKBM) to assist Indonesian citizens who have not completed formal education, allowing them to participate in equivalency programmes for Packages A, B, and C, as well as Distance Learning (PJJ). “SB and ICC are alternative solutions for providing education for the children of PMI living in Peninsular Malaysia, while CLC is an alternative non-formal education solution for PMI children in the Sabah and Sarawak regions,” Dhoni explained. He stated that providing non-formal education services is an effort to fulfil the educational rights of PMI children who cannot access formal education in local schools or SILN. These places serve as alternative learning spaces that support the development of basic knowledge, skills, Indonesian cultural values, as well as character building and psychosocial support. The number of Indonesian students in Malaysia does not include those in SIKL, SIJB, SIKK, and PKBM, and may change following data updates after new school year registrations. Dhoni said that after completing their studies in Malaysia, these children are encouraged to return and continue formal education in Indonesia. As a comprehensive government effort to improve inclusive access to education, the government provides the Upper Secondary Affirmation Scholarship (ADEM) and the Higher Education Affirmation Scholarship (ADik) for the children of PMI.