Prabowo Emphasises Commitment to Free Education for State Schools

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, stated that President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised the commitment to providing free education services for students in state schools, beginning from the kindergarten level.

Mu’ti made these remarks following a limited meeting led by President Prabowo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

“The President has placed emphasis on his commitment to providing free education services for students in primary and secondary education. This will also begin from kindergarten, so that is what we need to emphasise,” Abdul Mu’ti said in his press statement.

In addition to expanding access to education, he noted that the government is also focusing on improving the quality of teaching staff. The President has directed that teacher quality be continuously strengthened through various training programmes, with funding to be sourced from the State Budget (APBN).

“His commitment to providing free education services for students in state schools is part of the commitment that all Indonesian children deserve quality education in order to implement the fourth ‘Asta Cita’ of President Prabowo Subianto,” Mu’ti added.

Similar policies will also apply to state madrasahs under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, confirmed that the principle of free education services in state schools is also being applied to state madrasahs.

“What applies to state schools also applies to state madrasahs under the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” said Nasaruddin.

Meanwhile, regarding higher education, the government is currently calculating the necessary funding and preparing stages for the abolition of tuition fees in state universities (PTN). The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, stated that the President wishes for this programme to be realised as soon as possible, with implementation considering budget readiness and the sustainability of higher education.

“The President certainly hopes that this programme to make tuition free can be implemented as quickly as possible, but of course, we will go through stages; it will not happen all at once,” said Brian.