MPR Deputy Speaker Urges Sound Policies and Teacher Dedication for Equitable Access to Education

MPR Deputy Speaker Lestari Moerdijat (Rerie) has urged the implementation of sound and creative policies, coupled with strong teacher dedication, as part of efforts to deliver equitable access to education across the country.

“The combination of sound policies and strong teacher dedication is vital in building easier access to education, including in frontier, outermost and disadvantaged (3T) regions of the country,” Rerie said in a written statement on Sunday (22 February).

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) recorded that in the 2025/2026 academic year, there are approximately 3.47 million teachers in Indonesia.

In 2026, the ministry is committed to ensuring 806,000 teachers can undertake professional teacher education (certification), with the expectation that 93 per cent of all teachers will be certified by the end of the year.

According to Rerie, the challenges of teaching in 3T regions extend beyond distance and difficult access, encompassing limited electricity, internet connectivity and various other learning facilities.

Rerie argued that these conditions also require the presence of creative and highly dedicated teachers to address the existing challenges.

The House of Representatives Commission X member called for policies capable of establishing proper distribution mechanisms and appropriate incentive support, so that the availability of competent teachers for 3T regions can be fulfilled.

The NasDem Party senior board member expressed strong hopes that collaboration between stakeholders at the central and regional levels could be realised in efforts to facilitate access to education throughout the country.

“Only with educated human resources can a nation meet the various challenges that arise and realise the aspirations of our forebears to create a society that is just and prosperous across Indonesia,” she said.