By: Zaldi Kusuma )*
The Indonesian government affirmed its commitment to equitable national education quality through the launch of Garuda Schools, a flagship program as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Fastest Results Program (PHTC). The program was officially introduced simultaneously in 16 locations across Indonesia, marking a concrete step in strengthening an inclusive, modern, and equitable education system.
This major initiative is designed to ensure that every Indonesian child, regardless of region of origin, has an equal opportunity to access high-quality education. The government positions education as a primary instrument of human development, emphasizing equitable quality even in the most disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions.
The basic concept of Garuda Schools combines two approaches: Garuda Transformation Schools and New Garuda Schools. Garuda Transformation Schools strengthen existing high schools (SMA) and Islamic high schools (MA) by improving the curriculum, management, and teacher capacity to enable students to achieve world-class educational standards.
Meanwhile, the New Garuda Schools were built from scratch in areas with limited access to superior education. Both schools work synergistically to ensure balanced quality and equitable learning opportunities throughout Indonesia.
At this launch, 12 Garuda Transformation Schools are located across various provinces: SMAN 10 Fajar Harapan Aceh, SMA Unggul Del North Sumatra, MAN Insan Cendekia Ogan Komering Ilir South Sumatra, SMAN Unggulan MH Thamrin Jakarta, SMA Cahaya Rancamaya West Java, SMA Taruna Nusantara Central Java, SMA Pradita Dirgantara Central Java, SMAN 10 Samarinda East Kalimantan, SMAN Banua BBS South Kalimantan, MAN Insan Cendekia Gorontalo, SMAN Siwalima Ambon Maluku, and SMA Averos Sorong Southwest Papua.
Four New Garuda Schools are currently under construction in East Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands), South Central Timor (East Nusa Tenggara), South Konawe (Southeast Sulawesi), and Bulungan (North Kalimantan).
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that the Garuda School program is a strategic step to improve the quality of science and technology education in Indonesia. He believes that the current interest of the younger generation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields still needs to be strengthened. Through Garuda School, the government strives to prepare more scientists and technologists capable of contributing to the nation’s progress, both nationally and globally.
Mu’ti also emphasized that superior education is not only about academic intelligence, but also character and leadership development. According to him, Garuda School is designed so that students are not only proficient in science but also possess strong personalities, a spirit of mutual cooperation, and leadership skills. By combining intellectual and moral intelligence, the government hopes that Garuda School will produce a generation ready to become the nation’s future leaders.
Regarding technology and innovation, Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, explained that Garuda School will integrate digital learning systems across regions. Each school is connected through a national platform that allows for the exchange of teachers, teaching materials, and mentoring systems across regions. In this way, students from eastern Indonesia can interact and learn together with students in other regions, creating a collaborative and adaptive educational ecosystem.
Meutya believes this step aligns with the national digital transformation vision, where education plays a central role in producing superior human resources ready to face technological disruption. The government wants to ensure that digital innovation is not only concentrated in large cities but also reaches all corners of the country, including the 3T (frontier and remote) regions.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar emphasized that the presence of Garuda Schools in border areas such as Tanjung Selor, North Kalimantan, is a tangible symbol of equitable, superior education. He explained that these schools are not simply learning facilities, but also platforms for developing national character for Indonesian children on the nation’s front lines. Nasaruddin believes that through education rooted in Indonesian values, children in border areas will grow up with a sense of pride in their country.
Nasaruddin stated that Garuda Schools in border areas will become centers for the development of future national leaders. With an approach based on science, technology, and national values, the government hopes that graduates of this school will be able to enter the world’s best universities and contribute to the nation’s progress. He called Garuda School a symbolA place of national pride, a place where the spirit of Indonesianness and scientific advancement blend harmoniously.
The presence of Garuda Schools also addresses the challenge of underutilizing the potential of Indonesia’s young generation. Based on the Human Capital Index, the average Indonesian student only utilizes around 54 percent of their optimal potential. Through this program, the government aims to increase this figure by providing access to high-standard education, research-based curricula, and facilities that support technology-based learning.
By 2029, the government aims to develop 80 Garuda Transformation Schools and build 20 New Garuda Schools in various regions. This ambitious target demonstrates the government’s commitment to expanding equitable access to superior education throughout Indonesia.
Through Garuda Schools, the government is not only building educational facilities but also instilling a foundation of social justice in education. This initiative affirms that human development is at the heart of national development, and every Indonesian child deserves an equal opportunity to thrive.
)* Education Observer