Prabowo mandates French language instruction in all Indonesian schools

Indonesia and France enjoy exceptionally close relations under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and President Emmanuel Macron. This closeness has prompted Prabowo to order French language instruction for students across all school levels in Indonesia.

Meeting Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday, 28 May 2026, Prabowo has visited Paris twice this year: on 23 January after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and again on 14 April following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

“Thank you for the warm and respectful reception extended to me and my delegation,” Prabowo said. “I have visited France three times this year alone.”

Prabowo noted Indonesia received a great honour for being invited to the French military parade last year, held on 14 July 2025 to commemorate France’s National Day, or Bastille Day.

“Last year, Indonesia was also honoured with an invitation to participate in the Bastille Day parade, a significant recognition for us,” he said.

“We may be the first Asian nation to take part in a European parade,” he added.

Prabowo stated that Indonesia-France relations are at their best. The former defence minister thanked Macron for the strong bilateral ties.

“I told His Excellency that Indonesia-France relations are at their strongest ever. We are grateful for and respect President Macron’s leadership,” he said.

Prabowo mandates French language instruction in all Indonesian schools

During the same meeting, Prabowo praised Macron’s international leadership, noting shared positions between Indonesia and France.

“President Macron’s international leadership is highly visible. He consistently takes bold, principled stances in line with the Republic of France’s values. On several issues, Indonesia and France share similar positions,” he said.

Prabowo highlighted existing bilateral cooperation in defence, science and technology, and education.

“Our bilateral relations are strong, thanks to President Macron’s direct support. Defence ties are excellent, as are science and technology cooperation. In education, we aim to further deepen collaboration,” he added.

Prabowo then instructed all Indonesian schools to teach French, citing future global developments as the reason.

“I have now ordered that all levels of Indonesian schools must learn French, in light of future global trends,” Prabowo told Macron.

DPR official hopes order extends beyond diplomacy

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives’ Commission X, Lalu Hadrian, hopes Prabowo’s directive on teaching French is not merely part of international diplomacy. He said his committee will first summon the Ministry of Education to clarify the new instruction.

“To clarify whether French will be compulsory in schools, we will request the Ministry of Education explain this during a committee meeting. Previously, there were discussions about Portuguese, but no concrete steps have been taken regarding roadmap, regulations, or implementation readiness,” Lalu told reporters on Friday, 29 May.

Lalu acknowledged the importance of strengthening foreign language skills for students, but stressed that education policies must align with national needs, teacher readiness, curriculum design, and tangible benefits for learners.

“We must avoid the public perceiving this as merely an international diplomacy agenda without thorough educational planning,” he said.

He will also verify with the Education Minister whether the plan is a genuine national priority or still a proposal.

“If readiness is not comprehensive, implementation should be phased, as an elective subject or a special programme in certain schools,” he concluded.