When Educational Inequality Remains the Nation's Homework

Education has always been positioned as the key to national development. Through education, individuals not only acquire knowledge but also gain opportunities to improve their quality of life and enhance their socio-economic status. Consequently, the quality of a nation’s education often reflects the quality of its future.

Indonesia has shown quite positive progress in the education sector. Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) shows that the School Participation Rate (APS) for the 7–12 age group in 2024 reached 99.19 per cent, while the 13–15 age group reached 96.17 per cent. This achievement indicates that compulsory education programmes at the primary level have been relatively successful in reaching most Indonesian children.

However, problems become apparent when entering upper secondary education. The APS for the 16–18 age group only reached 74.64 per cent, while the 19–23 age group, which represents higher education, stood at only 29.01 per cent. This means that a significant number of young Indonesians do not continue their education after completing primary and lower secondary school.

These figures indicate that access to education in Indonesia still faces major challenges, particularly at higher levels. Economic factors are one of the primary causes. Many students choose to enter the workforce early to assist with family needs rather than pursuing further education. From a sociological perspective, this condition demonstrates that socio-economic backgrounds still heavily determine an individual’s opportunity to obtain a better education.

In reality, education serves an important function as a vehicle for social mobility. Through education, individuals have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and achieve a more prosperous life. When access to education is unequal, the opportunities for social mobility also become unbalanced. As a result, social inequality risks being passed down from one generation to the next.

The rapid development of digital technology should be able to help reduce this gap. The use of digital learning platforms, online learning resources, and artificial intelligence provides new opportunities for students to gain broader access to knowledge. However, digital transformation also presents challenges in the form of a gap in access to technological devices and the internet, particularly for communities in remote areas or low-income families.

Beyond the issue of access, the quality of education is also influenced by the student’s social environment. Family support, learning culture, household economic conditions, and the quality of the living environment all have a significant impact on a child’s academic achievement. Therefore, educational success cannot be measured solely by the construction of schools or the provision of curricula, but also by the state’s ability to create social conditions that support the learning process.

Amidst these various challenges, teachers remain the primary actors in Indonesian education. Teachers are not only tasked with delivering subject matter but also with shaping character, instilling values, and building students’ hopes for their future. Many teachers in various regions continue to perform their duties with full dedication despite facing limitations in educational facilities and infrastructure.

The government itself continues to increase investment in the education sector. The national education budget has continued to rise in recent years as a form of the state’s commitment to improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. However, increased budgeting must be accompanied by targeted policies, especially in efforts to equalise the quality of education across regions and social groups.

Ultimately, education is not just the responsibility of schools and the government, but a shared responsibility of all elements of society. Families, social environments, the business world, community organisations, and the media all play a role in creating a healthy and inclusive educational ecosystem.

Indonesia is moving towards a demographic bonus that is expected to peak in the coming decades. This demographic bonus can be a great opportunity if supported by high-quality human resources, but it can also become a burden if the quality of education is unable to meet the needs of the era. Therefore, fighting for fair and equitable education is not merely a development agenda, but a long-term investment for the nation’s sustainability.

The future of Indonesia is truly being shaped in classrooms today. The question is no longer whether education is important, but how seriously we are ensuring that every Indonesian child has an equal opportunity to obtain a proper and high-quality education.