Prabowo Aims to Provide Free Education Starting from Kindergarten

President Prabowo Subiantio has ordered his ministers to formulate plans and budget requirements to ensure that free education can be provided to children starting from kindergarten (TK).

Following a limited meeting led by President Prabowo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Abdul Mu’ti, explained that starting this year, School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds will not only be allocated to primary schools (SD) but also to kindergartens.

“Regarding the strengthening of free education, we can report that we are utilising BOS and PIP funds. Therefore, children and students studying in primary and kindergarten levels will, starting this year, receive BOS funds for all students, as well as PIP (Smart Indonesia Program) funds for students from underprivileged families,” said Abdul Mu’ti during a press conference at the Merdeka Palace.

During the meeting, Abdul Mu’ti stated that President Prabowo emphasised that free educational services must begin at the kindergarten level.

“A new policy from President Prabowo is that kindergartens, which previously did not receive PIP, will receive PIP funds starting in 2027, with an amount of Rp450,000 per year. This is his commitment,” said Abdul Mu’ti.

Mu’ti continued by noting that currently, only 23 per cent of kindergartens across various regions in Indonesia are state-run.

“The exact number of recipients will be announced later, including in relation to the commitment to a 13-year compulsory education programme. As there is a 13-year compulsory education mandate, there will be a commitment to government support,” added the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.

The 13-year Compulsory Education programme, which is part of the national priority programme in the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), consists of one year of preschool (kindergarten), six years of primary education, and six years of secondary education. Moving forward, children aged 5 to 6 years must have access to one year of preschool education before entering primary school.

President Prabowo led the meeting regarding free education from kindergarten to higher education at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday. The meeting, which lasted approximately two hours, was attended by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno; the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti; the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto; and the Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar.