Garuda Schools Promote Quality Education Through the Integration of Secondary and Higher Education
Jakarta – The government, through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), has officially launched and promoted the 2026 Garuda Transformation Excellence High School (SUGT) program as a concrete step to strengthen the quality of national education while fostering a generation capable of competing globally.
This program is designed as a strategic breakthrough that integrates secondary education with higher education, thereby creating continuity in the development of outstanding talent from an early age.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, emphasized that SUGT is a crucial foundation in building an integrated and future-oriented education ecosystem.
“The Garuda Transformation High School Excellence Program serves as a vital bridge between secondary and higher education, designed to produce graduates who are globally competitive and capable of continuing their education at the best universities both domestically and abroad,” said Brian.
He added that this program targets high schools and Islamic high schools with outstanding academic records, aiming to shape a generation that is not only intellectually intelligent but also possesses strong character, critical thinking skills, and a commitment to sustainable development.
Furthermore, Ardi Findyartini, Director of Strategy and Transformative Learning Systems at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, explained that SUGT is built upon three main pillars: equitable access to achievement opportunities, a leadership incubator toward Indonesia Emas 2045, and the strengthening of academic excellence and community service.
According to her, this approach reaffirms the direction of higher education policy, which is not only output-oriented but also focused on tangible impact.
“Through this initiative, the government reaffirms the direction of the ‘Impactful Diktisaintek’ policy, which ensures that every educational program provides tangible benefits to society,” she said.
Thus, SUGT is expected to serve as a driving force in fostering a superior generation that is adaptive, innovative, and competitive on a global scale.
Meanwhile, Director General of Science and Technology Ahmad Najib Burhani revealed that this program is part of the broader Garuda School ecosystem, which is being gradually expanded.
“By 2025, this program will have reached 12 schools. In 2026, the target is to add approximately 30 new schools, with a projection of reaching 80 schools by 2029. The program’s impact has also expanded through a replication scheme to 680 high schools (SMA/MA) across various regions,” he said.
He emphasized that collaboration with leading universities such as the University of Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology, IPB University, Jakarta State University, and Padjadjaran University is key to delivering a comprehensive enrichment program that is relevant to global needs.
With a systematic and collaboration-based design, SUGT not only strengthens the quality of secondary education but also ensures continuity toward world-class higher education.
Ultimately, this program serves as a strategic instrument in promoting equitable access to quality education while accelerating the realization of Indonesia’s golden generation—one that is outstanding, of strong character, and ready to compete on the global stage.
