House of Representatives Commission X Proposes Phased Implementation of President Prabowo's French Language Directive

The Indonesian government’s plan to integrate French language learning across all education levels has drawn attention from the House of Representatives’ Commission X. Commission X Deputy Chair Lalu Hadrian Irfani has suggested a phased rollout of the policy to ensure readiness on the ground.

Lalu stated that if the government is not yet ready for a nationwide rollout, strategic options include making French a voluntary subject or a special programme in select schools.

Speaking in Jakarta on Friday (29 May), Lalu emphasised the importance of foreign language proficiency for the youth, stating, “Strengthening foreign language skills is indeed crucial.”

However, he stressed the need for detailed technical coordination, prompting Commission X to request the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the president’s plan.

Lalu underscored that education policies must be built on solid foundations, including national needs, curriculum readiness, teacher competency, and tangible student impacts. He hopes the policy will be meticulously planned.

“The public must not perceive this as merely part of international diplomacy without a solid educational plan,” he said.

The proposal stems from President Prabowo Subianto’s direct instruction to strengthen bilateral education ties between Indonesia and France. The directive was issued during his bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday (28 May).

President Prabowo views this step as strategically vital to equip the younger generation for global challenges.

“In education, we aim to enhance further. I have instructed that all levels of Indonesian schools must learn French, looking at future global developments,” President Prabowo stated during a live stream via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel in Jakarta on Thursday (28 May).