Jakarta, September 24, 2026 — Following up on President Prabowo Subianto's directive, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti, is preparing a free education scheme as part of strengthening access to and the quality of national education. "In a limited meeting, the President emphasized his commitment to providing free education services for students in primary and secondary education, starting from kindergarten," said Mendikdasmen after attending a limited meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (September 23).
The strengthening of educational services is supported by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) through the distribution of School Operational Assistance (BOS) and the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP). BOS funds are provided to all students, in both public and private schools, to support the operational needs of educational units, including the payment of non-civil servant teacher salaries, minor repairs, and extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, PIP is provided to students from low-income families.
"Currently, all students, both public and private, receive BOS funds. Secondly, students from low-income families also receive PIP funds. President Prabowo's new policy is that kindergartens, which previously did not receive PIP, will receive PIP funds starting in 2027, which amount to Rp 450,000 per year," explained the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.
In addition to funding for students, the government is also strengthening support for teachers. Minister Abdul Mu'ti explained that civil servant teachers in public schools are paid through the central government budget, while teachers who are Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK) will also receive funding from the central government in accordance with applicable policies. Meanwhile, non-civil servant teachers in public schools can be paid through the School Operational Assistance (BOS) fund, with up to 20 percent allocated for non-civil servant teacher salaries.
Furthermore, starting in 2027, part-time PPPK teachers will become full-time PPPK teachers. With this change, PPPK teacher allowances will be paid by the central government. Non-ASN teachers will also have the opportunity to participate in the selection process to become civil servants or PPPK. Those who fail the selection process will retain their status as non-ASN teachers, and their funding will be sourced from the BOS (School Operational Assistance) funds.
In an effort to support improving the quality of education, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is also preparing to improve teacher competency through various training programs. Funding for this training will be provided through the state budget (APBN).
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education emphasized that the implementation of free education is part of the government's efforts to provide access to quality education for all Indonesian children.
"This is President Prabowo Subianto's directive, so his commitment to providing free education for students in public schools is part of the commitment that all Indonesian children have the right to a quality education, as part of President Prabowo Subianto's fourth Asta Cita (Principal Goal)," concluded the Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education. (Author: Stephanie/Editor: Destian, Seno)
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