President Prabowo Orders Total Evaluation of School Textbooks
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti to immediately form a special team to conduct a total evaluation of textbooks currently used in schools. The move aims to ensure national education materials remain relevant to technological advancements and can compete with international standards.
The directive was issued during a limited meeting lasting over two hours at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday. The strategic meeting was also attended by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, who also serves as presidential spokesperson, stated that curriculum adjustment through textbooks is an urgent priority. “He (the Minister) has been tasked with forming a team as soon as possible to study textbooks for all our students. They must be adapted to the developments of the times and technology. We do not want to be left behind by foreign textbooks,” Prasetyo said during a press conference at the Merdeka Palace courtyard on Thursday evening.
Beyond the textbook evaluation, President Prabowo emphasised the government’s attention to two other pillars of education: school infrastructure and teacher welfare. Prasetyo highlighted that the President is deeply concerned about accelerating the improvement of neglected educational facilities.
The school revitalisation programme covers both public and private schools across Indonesia, prioritising the 3T regions (Frontier, Outermost, and Disadvantaged) which have suffered infrastructure damage without adequate renovation for decades.
Minister Abdul Mu’ti added that although school construction is technically the responsibility of local governments under existing regulations, the central government has taken the initiative for this revitalisation as a reflection of the President’s commitment to education quality. “We visited the regions, especially the 3T areas, and they were very grateful. Because of the President’s commitment to improving education quality, we are revitalising schools throughout Indonesia,” Abdul Mu’ti concluded.