Indonesian Education System

Introduction

Flag of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia

Every nation strives to achieve the position of having an excellent educational system. The country will create a large number of clever people to aid in its progress if it invests in its educational system. Here is the education in Indonesia, a nation that is engaged in the aforementioned dispute. The Indonesian Education System is a diverse and complex framework that provides education and training from early childhood to higher education. It plays a crucial role in the development and growth of Indonesia, which is the largest archipelago in the world with a diverse cultural landscape.

Key Components:

1. Early Childhood Education (PAUD): The education system begins with early childhood education, which is designed to prepare young children for primary school.
2. Primary Education (SD/MI): Primary education in Indonesia is compulsory and typically spans six years. Students start primary school around the age of six.
3. Secondary Education (SMP/MTs and SMA/SMK/MA): After completing primary education, students enter secondary education. This stage includes lower-secondary schools (SMP/MTs) and upper-secondary schools (SMA/SMK/MA). SMA focuses on general education, while SMK provides vocational education.
4. Higher Education: Indonesia has a diverse higher education system, including universities, institutes, colleges, and academies. Some of the most prestigious universities in the country include the University of Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University.
5. Vocational and Technical Education: Vocational education and training (SMK) play a significant role in preparing students for specific careers, such as in fields like engineering, hospitality, and agriculture.

Curriculum: The curriculum in Indonesian schools is primarily based on the national curriculum, but regional variations exist. Students are taught a range of subjects, including Bahasa Indonesia (the national language), mathematics, sciences, and social studies.

Challenges: The Indonesian education system faces challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, disparities in access to education between urban and rural areas, and the need for improvements in teacher quality and educational infrastructure.

Language of Instruction: The language of instruction in most Indonesian schools is Bahasa Indonesia, but regional languages and English are also taught.

Government Initiatives: The Indonesian government has implemented various initiatives to improve education quality and access, including curriculum reforms and efforts to increase teacher professionalism.

Cultural and Regional Diversity: The vast cultural and regional diversity in Indonesia plays a significant role in shaping the education system, with some regions having unique educational practices and challenges.

Overall, the Indonesian Education System is a dynamic and evolving framework that reflects the nation's commitment to providing education and training opportunities to its diverse population while addressing the challenges of access and quality.

Education System in Indonesia

Education System of Indonesia

As per the guidelines of the Indonesian educational system, a minimum of 12 years is considered the optimal duration for students to receive education.

The responsibility for the administration of education in Indonesia is divided between two government entities: the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. All Indonesian citizens are obligated to complete twelve years of mandatory education, comprising six years of primary school and three years of middle school. Additionally, the Ministry of Religious Affairs oversees schools affiliated with Islamic, Christian, and Buddhist faiths.

Education in Indonesia

While some institutions do admit students as young as six, the standard age for enrolling in elementary school is seven. Before this, it's a voluntary option for children to attend preschool or kindergarten for several years to prepare for formal education.

After finishing primary school, students continue their education in junior high school, where they encounter additional subjects to broaden their knowledge base. This phase in Indonesia also introduces students to extracurricular activities and organizational involvement, fostering skill development and personal interests.

Educational institutions in Indonesia are categorized as either public or private. Some private schools identify as "national plus schools," signifying that their curricula exceed the Ministry of Education's requirements. This often includes English as the primary language of instruction or the adoption of an international curriculum in place of the national one. Indonesia boasts a substantial educational infrastructure, comprising over 26,000 high schools, 40,000 junior-secondary schools, and 170,000 elementary schools. Approximately 84% of these institutions fall under the purview of the Ministry of Education and Culture, with the remaining 16% being overseen by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

History

Era of Islamic Monarchies

History of Education System in Indonesia

The convergence of Islamic and Hindu-Buddhist influences marks Indonesia's transition towards an Islamic monarchy. During this period, a novel form of Islamic educational institution, known as "pondok pesantren," emerged and saw the establishment of numerous such institutions. Much like Karsyan, these pesantrens were typically situated away from the bustling urban centers.

Dutch Colonial Period

In the period of Dutch colonization, basic education was introduced to Indonesia by the Dutch. The social and economic status of the colony's residents played a decisive role in shaping the different segments of the Dutch educational system, with the most prestigious institutions reserved for the European population.

Japanese Colonial Rule

During the period of Japanese colonial rule in World War II, the operations of the Dutch educational system were consolidated into a single entity that ran in parallel with the Japanese educational system. As part of an effort to establish the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere of Influence, the Japanese occupation had a detrimental impact on Indonesian education. Schools were refocused on teaching anti-Western military and physical exercises, along with Japanese history and culture. Students were required to salute the Emperor and raise the Japanese flag each morning. While the Japanese regime aimed to reduce educational disparities, by 1945, enrollment had plummeted by 90% in secondary education and by 30% in primary education.

Early education

Early Childhood Education in Indonesia, known as PAUD (Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini), oversees the preschool phase, which encompasses "Taman Bermain" (playgroup) and "Taman Kanak-Kanak" (kindergarten, often abbreviated as TK). The direct oversight and responsibility for PAUD are vested in the Directorate of Early Age Education Development (Direktorat Pengembangan Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini).

Parents typically introduce their children to the educational journey at age 2 by enrolling them in "Taman Bermain." Subsequently, at the age of 4, children proceed to "Taman Kanak-Kanak." These are informally referred to as "kelas nol kecil" (small zero grade) and "kelas nol besar" (large zero grade), respectively. Most TKs divide their classrooms into two groups labeled A and B. While not compulsory, the primary objective of this level of education is to prepare children for their formal elementary school education. It's worth noting that a significant 99.35% of Indonesia's 49,000 kindergartens are privately operated. During their time in kindergarten, students typically spend one year each in "Class A" and "Class B" before progressing to higher levels.

Public primary and secondary education

In Indonesia, a compulsory education period of 12 years is established. Students are obliged to be present at school from 07:30 a.m. (sometimes as early as 06:25 a.m. in certain schools) to 15:30 p.m., for five days per week (although some schools still observe six school days per week). Students have the option of attending either state-operated, non-denominational public schools overseen by the Ministry of National Education (Kemdiknas) or private or semi-private religious institutions, often Islamic, which are supervised and funded by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Schools also provide extracurricular activities encompassing sports, the arts, and religious studies, allowing students to select their preferred activities. Notably, even though only 15% of the school-age population in Indonesia attends religious schools, a significant 86.1% of the country's population is registered as Muslim.

Islamic Schools

Students at Islamic Schools

In Indonesia, there exist primarily three distinct categories of Islamic educational institutions: pesantren, madrasah, and sekolah islam. Pesantrens vary widely in size, ranging from relatively large establishments with numerous teachers and hundreds of students to much smaller ones with just a few instructors and learners. Pesantrens are typically governed by hereditary kiais, who oversee the school's operations and wield religious authority.

Madrasahs differ in their ideological foundations and the extent to which they integrate secular and religious subjects into their curriculum. Sekolah Islam, on the other hand, incorporates its own Islamic curriculum alongside the secular curriculum administered by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

School grades

Level/Grade	Typical age
Preschool
Pre-school playgroup	4 - 5
Kindergarten	4 - 6
Primary School (Compulsory Education)
1st Grade	6 – 7
2nd Grade	7 – 8
3rd Grade	8 – 9
4th Grade	9 – 10
5th Grade	10 – 11
6th Grade	11 – 12
Middle School (Compulsory Education)
7th Grade	12 - 13
8th Grade	13 - 14
9th Grade	14 - 15
High School (Compulsory Education)
10th Grade	15 – 16
11th Grade	16 – 17
12th Grade	17 – 18
Post-secondary education
Tertiary education (college or university)	Ages vary (usually 18 – 22 or 19 – 23 for four years)
Graduate education
Adult education

Conclusion / Aspects to be implemented in Uzbekistan's education system

There are aspects within the Indonesian education system that students and the broader community can take pride in: https://flip.id/en/blog/education-in-indonesia

1. Affordable Tuition Fees The Indonesian government ensures that tuition costs are reasonable, and in certain cases, even free, especially in public schools. This is made possible by allocating a substantial portion of the national budget, up to 20%, exclusively for educational purposes. Consequently, the government provides significant financial support to students, amounting to hundreds of trillions of rupiahs.
2. Transparent Education System Indonesia's education system is characterized by openness and transparency, allowing parents to easily monitor their children's classroom performance. This open-book approach permits students to study not only within school but also at home, with the involvement and guidance of their parents, to enhance their overall skills and knowledge.
3. Expert-Designed Curricula Educational curricula are meticulously crafted by experts to ensure quality and relevance. Furthermore, experienced professionals who possess a deep understanding of the educational landscape are also involved in this process. As a result, since 2013, Indonesian educators and experts have been collaborating to develop comprehensive educational curricula.
4. Streamlined Student Admissions Some schools in the past garnered considerable popularity among students, leading to fierce competition for admission, even if students had to travel long distances. Unfortunately, this could disadvantage those students who lived nearby but didn't meet the stringent admission requirements. Fortunately, a recent reform in Indonesia's education system has introduced a more inclusive admissions policy. This policy now allows students to enroll based on their age and place of residence, ensuring that every student has equitable access to the education they deserve without unnecessary obstacles.

Reference List / Sources for further readings

Education in Indonesia: Is It Good or Does It Need to be Improved? (09/15/2023). Flip.id. https://flip.id/en/blog/education-in-indonesia

1. Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbud RISTEK):
   • Website Link: Kemdikbud RISTEK. (Accessed [09/15/2023]) Available at: https://www.kemdikbud.go.id/.
2. UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report - Indonesia Country Report:
   • UNESCO. "Education for All Global Monitoring Report - Indonesia Country Report." UNESCO (Accessed [09/15/2023]). https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000263493
3. World Bank - Indonesia Education Overview:
   • World Bank. "Indonesia Overview." World Bank. (Accessed [09/15/2023]). https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/968281574095251918/pdf/Overview.pdf
4. Education in Indonesia - Wikipedia:
   • Wikipedia. (Accessed [09/15/2023]). "Education in Indonesia." Wikipedia. Available at: en.wikipedia/wiki/Education_in_Indonesia.
5. The Jakarta Post - Education Section:
   • The Jakarta Post. (Accessed [09/15/2023]). "Education Section." The Jakarta Post. https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2023/04/04/transnational-education-an-opportunity-for-indonesias-future.html
6. Indonesia Investments - Education Sector:
   • Indonesia Investments. (Accessed [09/15/2023]). "Education Sector." Indonesia Investments. http://www.gbgindonesia.com/en/education/sector/investing_in_education.php
7. Indonesia Expat - Education Section:
   • Indonesia Expat. (Accessed [09/15/2023]). "Education Section." Indonesia Expat. https://indonesiaexpat.id/education/
8. Asian Development Bank (ADB) - Education in Indonesia:
   • Asian Development Bank. "Education in Indonesia." Asian Development Bank. (Accessed [09/15/2023]). https://www.adb.org/publications/reviews-national-policies-education-indonesia-rising-challenge
9. EducationUSA Indonesia:
   • EducationUSA. (Accessed [09/15/2023]). "Indonesia." EducationUSA Indonesia. https://www.educationusa.or.id/.

Review Questions:

1. Which two Ministries are in charge or education in Indonesia?
2. How many sectors are there in Indonesian education system?
3. How many years of education are mandated in Indonesia?
4. How many types of Islamic schools are there in Indonesia?
5. What are the main advantages of education system in Indonesia?