By: Talita Puteri )*
The Indonesian government has affirmed its commitment to equalizing the quality of education through the launch of Garuda Schools, a flagship program part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Fastest Results Program (PHTC). This initiative demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to providing quality education for all children, without exception, including those in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions.
The Garuda Schools program is designed to serve as a bridge to the future of superior education in Indonesia. The government targets the establishment of 100 Garuda Schools by 2029, consisting of 80 Garuda Transformation Schools and 20 New Garuda Schools.
Garuda Transformation Schools will strengthen existing flagship high schools, while New Garuda Schools will be built from scratch in areas that previously had limited access to education. With this approach, the government strives to ensure that quality education is not only concentrated in large cities but also spreads evenly throughout the country.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf explained that the Garuda Schools were a direct directive from President Prabowo to improve the quality of human resources through education. He believes that education is the primary foundation for building an independent and globally competitive nation. The government is not only targeting physical school construction but also focusing on improving the quality of learning, curriculum, and character development for students to enable them to compete internationally.
The simultaneous launch of the Garuda Schools on October 8, 2025, at 16 strategic locations across Indonesia is a tangible symbol of educational equality. Among them are 12 Garuda Transformation Schools, including SMAN 10 Fajar Harapan in Aceh, SMA Unggul Del in Toba, MAN Insan Cendekia Ogan Komering Ilir in South Sumatra, and SMA Averos Sorong in Southwest Papua. Meanwhile, four new Garuda Schools were built in East Belitung, South Central Timor, Konawe, and Bulungan.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie stated that the Garuda Schools represent a refinement of the national education transformation. According to her, this program is a concrete manifestation of President Prabowo’s grand vision of preparing the Golden Generation of 2045. Garuda Schools are not only aimed at improving academic achievement, but also at producing future leaders with a nationalistic spirit, integrity, and strong social sensitivity.
Stella believes that the existence of Garuda Schools will expand access to excellent education in an inclusive manner, so that high-achieving children from various backgrounds have an equal opportunity to enter the world’s best universities. The government views education as a long-term investment that not only produces skilled workers but also shapes holistic Indonesians who are intelligent, have character, and are driven by a spirit of service.
This commitment also received support from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, who emphasized the importance of strengthening STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields in the Garuda School curriculum.
Mu’ti believes that the younger generation’s interest in science and technology needs to be continuously cultivated so that Indonesia has more scientists and researchers who contribute to the nation’s progress. He also emphasized that in addition to academic intelligence, students need to be equipped with strong leadership skills to be ready to face future challenges.
The government recognizes that Garuda Schools play a strategic role in strengthening the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. Based on Human Capital Index data, the potential for national education can still be significantly improved. This program is expected to be an effective way to bridge this gap and accelerate the achievement of Indonesia’s vision of becoming a developed nation based on knowledge and innovation.
The government also places great emphasis on the sustainability of the program. Each region is responsible for overseeing and supervising the implementation of Garuda Schools to ensure they meet national standards for superior education. With cross-ministerial support, Garuda Schools are not only an educational project but also a national movement in building a civilized and competitive future for the nation.
The presence of Garuda Schools demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing concrete solutions for educational equality. This program is not just a promise, but a concrete step to ensure every Indonesian child has an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams. Amidst globalization and international competition, Garuda Schools symbolize new hope that the future of Indonesian education will be stronger, more equitable, and more aligned with progress.The entire Indonesian people.
The Garuda School Program is also designed with a collaborative approach between the central government, local governments, and the private sector. Through this partnership model, educational facility development is carried out in an integrated manner, involving community participation from planning to supervision.
The government ensures that each school is equipped with modern facilities, from digital technology-based laboratories to integrated learning systems based on artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, improving teacher competency is a top priority so that educators at Garuda Schools are able to implement innovative teaching methods. With this foundation, this program is expected to be a catalyst for change towards a more adaptive, inclusive, and future-oriented national education system.
)* Education Observer
