Pupils Could Be Held Back Again from 2027/2028: Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti Explains Why

Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti has explained why the government plans to reinstate the policy of holding pupils back a year from the 2027/2028 academic year. The policy is intended to encourage motivation to learn, improve pupils’ mastery of subject matter, and strengthen their character and resilience.

Mu’ti said pupils’ academic achievement still needs to improve so they are better prepared to face future challenges. The government is therefore reviewing promotion assessment procedures that would consider not only academic marks but also pupils’ character development.

“Through a policy of not automatically promoting pupils, the government hopes they will be more motivated to learn, improve their mastery of the material, and build strong character and resilience,” Abdul Mu’ti said in Kubu Raya regency, West Kalimantan, on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

The plan forms part of the government’s efforts to review the learning process in schools. Under the proposed assessment mechanism, promotion to the next year would no longer be a mere administrative routine, but would reflect pupils’ achievements and development.

Policy on holding pupils back targeted for 2027/2028

Mu’ti said the government had reviewed the plan to reinstate the policy. He added that it had been presented directly to President Prabowo Subianto and had received his approval.

“We have now carried out the review process and, God willing, it will begin to be implemented in the 2027/2028 academic year,” he said.

However, preparations for the policy still require several regulations to be finalised. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is completing a ministerial regulation and technical guidelines to govern implementation.

These instruments are needed to provide a legal basis and guidance for schools before the policy officially takes effect. The arrangements prepared by the government will determine how promotion and assessment are carried out.

Promotion assessments will not be based solely on academic marks

One point of focus in the proposed policy is how pupils will be assessed. Mu’ti said future promotion assessments would consider more than academic ability or mastery of subject matter.