Parliament Hopes Budget Cuts Will Not Affect Education Sector
PARLIAMENT’s Commission X has expressed hope that the government’s planned budget cuts, prompted by a projected deficit in the 2026 state budget (APBN), will not target the education sector. Vice-chair of Commission X Lalu Hadrian Irfani stated he supports the budget reduction option as a strategic government measure to maintain the nation’s fiscal stability.
“However, efficiency must be pursued carefully, measurably, and selectively whilst considering the impact on strategic sectors, particularly education,” said Lalu in a written statement on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
He reminded that education represents a long-term investment. Therefore, the education sector should not be a target of the planned budget cuts. This is because cuts to education funding would directly impact human resource quality, including service quality across various regions.
Education budget cuts, he said, would disrupt the learning process due to facility limitations and reduced professional development for educators. “This also has the potential to widen educational disparities between regions,” said Lalu.
Commission X, Lalu continued, has also stressed the importance of upholding constitutional commitments regarding education budget allocation. He stated that despite budget cuts, the government must remain committed to improving education quality.
Lalu added that Commission X will soon discuss this matter with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology to ensure that the planned budget cuts do not affect the education sector.
“Efficiency policies must not compromise education quality,” said the Kebangkitan Bangsa Party politician.
The possible widening of the 2026 APBN deficit emerged after the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed deficit scenarios resulting from conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran.
Before President Prabowo Subianto in a full cabinet session last Friday, Airlangga presented three worst-case scenarios for the APBN deficit. Based on his calculations with current conditions, the APBN could run a deficit of 3.18-4.06 per cent of gross domestic product.