Primary Education Minister Clarifies Foreign Language Teaching from Year 1: Just an Introduction

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that foreign language lessons will begin to be taught to pupils from Year 1 of primary school. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti clarified that the nature of this instruction will be an introduction, not a compulsory subject. “So what is meant is not language in the sense of a specific subject, but more of an introduction to foreign languages, especially for primary school,” Mu’ti said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8/2026). Meanwhile, English will become a compulsory subject starting from Year 3 of primary school. However, for other foreign language lessons, a number of schools are already implementing them at higher levels. “For English, indeed, in 2027 it will become a compulsory subject starting from Year 3 of primary school,” he said. “Some schools are already teaching foreign languages besides English, including Mandarin and Korean. And there are several countries that have offered to provide personnel who can assist in foreign language learning according to their respective countries,” he added. Previously, President Prabowo assessed that foreign language skills could make it easier for the younger generation to find employment. Prabowo stated that foreign language learning would begin to be taught to pupils from Year 1 of primary school. “Whatever the subject, we will gather the best teachers, including for foreign languages. Foreign languages are absolutely essential for us to master,” Prabowo said during his speech at the 2026 MPR Annual Session and Joint Session of the DPR-DPD at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8/2026). Prabowo explained that the government would start foreign language learning from when children are in Year 1 of primary school. The languages taught, he said, are those considered the most important and widely used in various countries. “We will start foreign languages for our children from primary school. From Year 1 of primary school, they must begin foreign languages; the most important languages: English, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and French,” Prabowo stated.