The Indonesian government, led by President Prabowo Subianto, is set to introduce reforms aimed at strengthening math education for young learners. This decision follows concerns about the low math proficiency of Indonesian students, which has garnered public attention due to viral social media posts showing students struggling with basic calculations. Prabowo’s administration plans to focus on improving math skills starting from kindergarten to ensure students can compete globally.
In response to viral social media posts showing Indonesian students struggling with basic arithmetic, President Prabowo Subianto’s administration is set to introduce comprehensive reforms in the country’s math education system. The plan, announced during a meeting between Prabowo and newly appointed Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti on October 22, 2024, aims to strengthen foundational math skills starting from early childhood education. The president’s decision comes as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reported a decline in Indonesia’s math performance.
A growing concern over math literacy has emerged in Indonesia, as viral videos showcased students failing to solve simple math problems. In one notable instance, a high school student incorrectly answered basic questions, such as 6 x 5 and 6 + 10, which raised public awareness of the declining quality of math education. This comes in the wake of Indonesia’s PISA 2022 math score of 366, placing it sixth out of eight ASEAN nations. The government now sees an urgent need for reforms.
Photo: Okezone (2024)
Newly appointed Minister Abdul Mu’ti confirmed that President Prabowo has asked for immediate action to improve math education, focusing on students from kindergarten to the fourth grade. “We plan to introduce math concepts early and ensure students master the basics before progressing,” Mu’ti said. The strategy is seen as key to boosting Indonesia’s PISA rankings and preparing students for future demands in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The government’s education overhaul aims to tackle the broader issue of declining math and reading skills. According to Mu’ti, Prabowo’s administration intends to implement a cross-ministerial approach to strengthen early education, with the Ministry of Education collaborating with other government agencies to ensure resources are effectively allocated to schools across the country.
In addition to math, reading comprehension is also a significant challenge for many Indonesian students. A school principal from Bandung reported that several students in the upper elementary grades are still unable to read fluently. Experts believe that improving both math and literacy skills is critical to reversing the learning loss that worsened during the pandemic.
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The government’s plan to enhance math education comes in the wake of the country’s declining PISA scores, which have dropped significantly since 2018. While Indonesia’s ranking has improved globally, the actual scores have decreased due to the pandemic’s impact on education. Mu’ti emphasized that the key to improving these metrics lies in starting math education earlier and addressing gaps before they widen.
Indonesia’s push to reform its math education system signals a commitment to raising the quality of education across Southeast Asia. As the country struggles to reverse its declining PISA scores, Prabowo’s administration is prioritizing early intervention to ensure that future generations are better equipped to meet global standards.
Indonesia’s government is taking steps to improve math education at the elementary level, with plans to introduce math concepts as early as kindergarten. This move follows concerns over declining math performance, highlighted by Indonesia’s PISA score of 366, which ranks low among ASEAN countries. The reforms are part of President Prabowo’s broader strategy to strengthen Indonesia’s education system and better prepare students for the future.
Keyboards: Prabowo Education Reform, Math Education, Student Performance Decline
