Prabowo Mandates French Language in Schools, DPR Member Questions Portuguese Future

Jakarta, Kompas.com – House of Representatives Commission X Deputy Chair Lalu Hadrian Irfani has raised concerns about the future of Portuguese language studies following President Prabowo Subianto’s mandate for French to be taught in schools. Ari, as he is commonly known, stated that Commission X will seek clarification from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education regarding the proposal, as plans for Portuguese language instruction remain unclear. “To clarify the compulsory French language policy in schools, we will request the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to explain it during our upcoming committee meeting,” Ari told Kompas.com on Friday (29 May 2026). The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician acknowledged the importance of strengthening foreign language skills. However, education policies must be formulated based on national needs, teacher readiness, curriculum, and tangible benefits for students. “The public must not perceive this policy as merely part of international diplomatic agendas without thorough educational planning,” Ari said. Should readiness not be comprehensive, implementation should be phased. “As an elective subject or a special programme in specific schools,” Ari added. Previously, Prabowo stated he had instructed Indonesian schools to enhance French language learning. “I have now instructed all Indonesian schools to teach French, in view of global developments,” Prabowo said after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday (28 May 2026). Prabowo stated the move was part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia-France relations in the future. This is not the first time Prabowo has called for foreign language education in schools. On 23 October 2025, while hosting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Jakarta, Prabowo previously ordered Portuguese to be taught as a school subject. “As a demonstration of our regard for Brazil, I have decided that Portuguese will be a priority in Indonesia’s education curriculum,” Prabowo said. According to Prabowo, Portuguese now holds equal priority with other languages already taught in schools. “Alongside English, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, French, German, and Russian, Portuguese and Spanish are priorities for us,” he added.