By: Rahayu Kirani)*
Efforts to reform the education system in Indonesia have again become a concern after the Draft Law on the National Education System (RUU Sisdiknas) was officially included in the list of Priority National Legislation Programs (Prolegnas) 2025. This bill is considered very important because it not only targets administrative and normative aspects, but also touches on substantial aspects that are directly related to the quality of education, the welfare of educators, and equitable access to education. In a broader context, the RUU Sisdiknas is also expected to be a legal instrument that is able to harmonize formal and non-formal education harmoniously.
Member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Andi Muawiyah Ramly, emphasized that the National Education System Bill must be able to guarantee an increase in the quality of education in Indonesia. According to him, the approach taken in drafting the bill should not only be limited to administrative improvements, but must also answer real needs in the field. One of them is by providing a guarantee of the quality of the learning process and ensuring equal access to education, including in remote areas that have so far experienced inequality.
Andi added that national education standards need to be strengthened and their implementation must be closely monitored. It is not enough to just increase the number of educational participation, but the quality and substance of learning must also be improved. Andi highlighted the need for recognition of all forms of education, including those based on local wisdom, as well as the importance of aligning formal and non-formal education so that there is no dichotomy that is detrimental to students.
He also emphasized the need for this bill to pay serious attention to educators. Improving teacher competence, providing appropriate incentives, and legal protection are three pillars that should not be ignored. The quality of education will not improve if teachers are not given serious attention. It is hoped that this bill will be able to provide a sense of justice for all education actors, including teachers and education personnel in various sectors.
Meanwhile, member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Hetifah Sjaifudian, also provided critical notes regarding the implementation of the New Student Admissions Selection (SPMB) which still leaves problems, especially regarding the support capacity of state schools in several regions. According to her, the state must be present to guarantee the right to education for all citizens, including by paying attention to private schools. She conveyed the idea of integrating the student admissions system between state and private schools so that the state is more concrete in providing support to non-state educational institutions.
Hetifah also suggested the Constitutional Court (MK) decision that has an impact on the national education system, especially in terms of adjusting the basic education period to 13 years, covering elementary school to high school/vocational school levels. According to her, this change requires careful and comprehensive planning. In addition, Hetifah considered it important to maintain the national assessment as an instrument for evaluating individual learning outcomes that is formative, not as a determinant of graduation like the national exam. This kind of evaluation is considered healthier in building students’ enthusiasm for learning without excessive pressure.
On the other hand, the debate surrounding the school entry time policy that was moved up to 06.30 and the elimination of homework (PR) also received attention. Hetifah conveyed the importance of balance between teaching and learning activities at school and children’s activities outside of school. According to her, education should not only be the responsibility of the school, but also be a space for active contribution from parents in directing children’s activities at home so that they remain educational.
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Atip Patipulhayat, also strengthened the urgency of the National Education System Bill by conveying a plan to codify or merge a number of laws that have so far regulated education in Indonesia separately. Through an omnibus law approach, this bill is expected to be able to unify provisions from various regulations, starting from the National Education System Law, the Teachers and Lecturers Law, the Higher Education Law, to the Islamic Boarding School Law. Atip said this step is important so that the government has a national education system that is integrated and does not overlap in implementation or supervision.
Atip said that so far, the National Education System Law tends to be understood as belonging to the Directorate General of Primary and Secondary Education, while higher education, teachers, and Islamic boarding schools have their own regulations. This creates a fragmentation of unsynchronized policies. With the new bill, it is hoped that all levels of education and all forms of education (formal, non-formal, and informal) can be regulated under one comprehensive and mutually supportive legal umbrella.
This codification step also reflects the legislative practices that have been used in a number of previous important regulations, such as the Job Creation Law and the Health Law. Through the same method, the National Education System Bill is expected to provide legal certainty, policy consistency, and efficiency in education governance in Indonesia.
The alignment between formal and non-formal education is very relevant in the context of increasingly rapid development. In today’s digital era, many students gain knowledge and skills from non-formal channels such as courses, training, and even online platforms. Without adequate recognition and integration, the great potential of non-formal education can be overlooked. Therefore, this bill needs to be designed to be flexible in accommodating various forms of education and providing equal recognition for all learning paths.
With various notes and hopes from various parties, the National Education System Bill is an important starting point in national education reform. Not only is it a technical regulation, but it also reflects the nation’s grand vision in preparing a future generation that is superior, competitive, and has access to fair and quality education. Political courage and strong consensus are needed from the DPR, the government, and the community to make this bill not just a legal document, but the foundation for a more comprehensive and inclusive transformation of Indonesian education.
)* Government Policy Observer
