Why Garuda School Teacher Candidates Must Have a Minimum GPA of 3.25

Director of Transformative Learning Strategy and Systems at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Ardi Findyartini, has explained why prospective teachers at Garuda Schools must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.25. Ardi, who goes by the nickname Titin, said that Garuda School teachers must possess high academic ability and excellence in order to produce equally outstanding students.

She acknowledged that the GPA standard, which she considered quite high, would be difficult to meet. “We recognise that these are qualifications that are not easy to fulfil, particularly for teachers and education staff in the areas where the new Garuda Excellence Senior High Schools are located,” she said at a press conference on Garuda Schools at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

Titin also outlined additional requirements for prospective teachers and education staff wishing to join Garuda Schools. Besides the minimum GPA of 3.25, preference will be given to candidates who hold a master’s degree or applied master’s degree.

Furthermore, there is an English proficiency requirement with minimum scores of 5.5 for IELTS, 51 for TOEFL-iBT, or 45.4 for PTE Academic. Teachers must also be willing to reside within the boarding school environment where the Garuda School is located.

In the first year of the new Garuda Schools’ opening, the government is recruiting 96 teachers and 92 education staff. Both teachers and education staff are expected to submit the following registration documents: a cover letter, a declaration letter, national electronic identity card, a 4x6 passport photograph, academic certificates, academic transcripts, an educator’s certificate, and IELTS/TOEFL-iBT/PTE Academic certificates.