By: Arifah Winarni *)
Education is the starting point for all national progress. Amidst the demands of globalization and the challenges of ongoing educational disparities, President Prabowo Subianto’s steps in pushing for major reforms in the education sector are worthy of appreciation. On the momentum of National Education Day 2025, the President launched the Fast Best Results Program (PHTC) which targets directly at the heart of national education problems: infrastructure quality, access gaps, learning technology, and the welfare of educators.
The government is targeting renovation of 10,441 schools throughout Indonesia, both public and private. A budget of Rp17.15 trillion has been allocated to improve the physical condition of schools to make them more suitable and safe as learning spaces. President Prabowo realizes that good education cannot be realized without adequate learning spaces. This development is not just physical, but also a symbol of the presence of a state that cares about the future of its young generation.
In addition to physical renovations, the program also includes digitalization of learning. The government will provide smart screens and digital learning materials for schools throughout Indonesia. This step is considered strategic to bridge the gap in the quality of learning between cities and remote areas. Digital transformation is not only about infrastructure, but also teacher training in mastering technology.
Education is inseparable from nutritional factors and the socio-economic conditions of students. Within the framework of PHTC, President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of the Free Nutritious Meal Program. This program is considered a concrete solution to overcome malnutrition which has been the root of low concentration and learning achievement of students. This program will be synergized with the People’s School, namely a school that provides decent housing and food for children from underprivileged families.
Meanwhile, children with extraordinary potential also receive attention through the establishment of the Garuda Excellence School. This school is prepared to accommodate special talents that have not been accommodated in the general education system. The government wants to ensure that every Indonesian child, without exception, has the space to develop according to their potential.
Bold steps were also taken in terms of teacher welfare. The President pushed for a direct transfer scheme for teacher allowances to each teacher’s account. Honorary teachers who have been marginalized so far are now getting attention through special assistance of IDR 300,000 per month. Not only that, the government is also preparing tuition subsidies for teachers who have not completed their D4 or S1 education, with assistance of IDR 3 million per semester.
This policy has received widespread support from various groups. The Chief Expert of the Presidential Communications Office Philips J. Vermonte stated that this policy is a direct response to the inequality of access to education and weak support for children from poor families. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu`ti said that this year will be a new milestone because this priority program directly touches on important aspects of the world of education.
From a macro perspective, the construction of tens of thousands of schools and other supporting programs are expected to drive the construction sector, open up jobs, and create a multiplier effect for the local economy. At the same time, increasing the purchasing power of low-income people through various assistance will strengthen domestic consumption.
Of course, there are many challenges. Certainty of land legality for renovation, cross-sector data integration, and supervision in the selection process for aid recipients are homework that must be completed. However, with the support and active collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and civil society, these challenges are not impossible to overcome.
Prabowo stressed that no child should drop out of school simply because of financial constraints. The government will strive to help all Indonesian children to continue learning.
In line with that, Minister Abdul Mu’ti reminded that the quality of teachers is the key to the success of national human resource development. He said that there are still more than 438 thousand teachers who do not have a house, so this program is expected to be able to improve their welfare so that they can teach better.
On the other hand, Head of the Central Statistics Agency Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti emphasized the importance of accurate data in running the program. She explained that teacher administration data from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is combined with the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN) so that program implementation is more targeted.
Meanwhile, BP Tapera Commissioner Heru Pudyo Nugroho emphasized his institution’s commitment to ensure that 20,000 subsidized housing units for teachers are truly received by those who are entitled. He reminded that there should be no misuse that makes this assistance enjoyed by parties who should not.
The Prabowo Subianto era education program has marked a new direction for national education development. Not only curriculum reform or budget increase, but also the restructuring of the entire education ecosystem that includes students, teachers, infrastructure, and welfare. With policies that touch the root of the problem, Indonesia’s education transformation seems to be on the right track towards inclusive and equitable progress.
*) The author is a public policy observer
