Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to Revitalise 3,865 Early Childhood Schools to Support 13-Year Compulsory Education

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) aims to revitalise 3,865 Early Childhood Education (PAUD) schools by 2026 to support the accelerated implementation of the 13-year compulsory education programme, which includes one year of preschool.

The Director General of Early Childhood, Primary, and Non-formal and Informal Education at Kemendikdasmen, Gogot Suharwoto, stated that 2,196 schools have been revitalised so far, with a total budget reaching IDR 909 billion.

“The implementation of 13-Year Compulsory Education has begun as a national policy direction within the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). This means the government is not waiting; steps are already underway through the expansion of PAUD services and the fulfilment of educational infrastructure and facilities,” Gogot said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

To support the readiness of PAUD teaching staff, the ministry noted that 7,563 kindergarten teachers and 6,106 non-formal PAUD teachers will receive Affirmative Assistance for S-1/D-4 qualifications during the second wave this year.

Furthermore, in 2025, 6,745 kindergarten teachers are scheduled to receive the same assistance.

“In 2025, 6,745 kindergarten teachers will participate in the Academic Qualification Programme using the RPL S1-DIV concept. In the second wave of 2026, 13,669 teachers, consisting of 7,563 kindergarten teachers and 6,106 non-formal PAUD teachers, will participate in the RPL S1-DIV programme,” Gogot added.

Notably, the strengthening of the legal norms for 13-year compulsory education, starting from the PAUD level, has been included in the draft revision of the National Education System Law (UU Sisdiknas). This serves as a strategic step to strengthen the foundation of national education from an early age.