Ministry of Education to Close Study Programmes Irrelevant to Industry Needs, Here's Why

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) plans to close several study programmes (prodi) that are considered no longer relevant to industry needs and future economic growth.

This plan was conveyed by the Secretary General of Kemendikbudristek, Badri Munir Sukoco, at the National Population Symposium 2026 at Udayana University, Badung Regency, Bali, on Thursday, 23 April 2026.

According to Badri, Indonesia faces a major problem with its demographic bonus and the mismatch between education, higher education, and industry, which not only causes oversupply but also misalignment when facing the job market.

Every year, he said, around 1.9 million young graduates from schools enter the workforce, of which 1.7 million are bachelor’s and diploma graduates.

At the same time, when these young people graduate from school or university, they face significant challenges in finding jobs because their educational background does not match the available job opportunities.

“In the near future, there may be several things that we must execute regarding study programmes that need to be selected, sorted, and if necessary, closed to increase relevance,” Badri said, quoted from the replay of the YouTube broadcast by the Ministry of Population and Family Development, on Monday.

Badri highlighted the reality of the demographic bonus that must be balanced with competent and adaptive human resources for future economic growth.

In this regard, Badri continued, higher education is expected to prepare young generations who are competent to lead Indonesia towards becoming an advanced nation, by aligning with future economic growth needs.

“In our current terms, most higher education institutions in Indonesia use a market-driven strategy. What is market-driven? It means opening programmes based on what is currently popular,” he stated.

In addition, Badri explained that the government has promoted eight strategic industries expected to drive and increase economic growth to 8 percent.

These include energy, food, health, defence, maritime, downstreaming, digitalisation, and advanced manufacturing. He urged higher education institutions to adjust their study programmes to these eight strategic industries planned by the government.