Finance Ministry dismisses deepfake claim, highlights Rp724.3 trillion education budget for 2025

A viral video alleging Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati called teachers a “burden” has sparked public debate, but the Finance Ministry has clarified the claim as false while reaffirming the government’s education funding commitments.

Viral Video Deemed a Hoax

The Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) confirmed that a video circulating online, which appeared to show Sri Mulyani labeling teachers as a state burden, was a deepfake. Head of Communications Deni Surjantoro stated on August 19 that the minister “never said teachers are a burden to the nation,” stressing the clip was misleading and taken out of context from her August 7 speech at ITB.

The Real Statement at ITB

In her speech, Sri Mulyani highlighted the persistent issue of low teacher and lecturer salaries, calling it a serious challenge for state finances. She questioned whether funding improvements should fall entirely on the government or involve community participation, without specifying what form that might take. Her comments were part of a broader discussion on sustaining education financing.

Rp724.3 Trillion for Education

For 2025, the government has allocated Rp724.3 trillion (about S$57.9 billion) for education, equivalent to 20% of state spending. The budget will support:

• Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) Kuliah for 1.1 million students
• Program Indonesia Pintar (PIP) for 20.4 million pupils
• Bantuan Operasional Sekolah (BOS) for 9.1 million learners
• BOPTN funding for nearly 200 state universities
• Teacher professional allowances and certifications for over 1.1 million educators
• Infrastructure works for 22,000 schools
• Free nutritious meal programs to support student well-being

Budget Cluster Priorities

Sri Mulyani explained that education funds are structured into three clusters:

• Students and learners, from schoolchildren to university students
• Teachers and lecturers, including salaries and allowances
• Educational infrastructure, such as facilities and digitalisation

She emphasised that allocations are carefully structured to balance immediate welfare needs with long-term systemic improvements.

Criticism From Public Figures

Former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie weighed in, arguing that the constitutional mandate for 20% education spending is not being fully realised for teachers, students, and infrastructure. He suggested that shifting funds to other government programs undermines the spirit of the law and contributes to rising education costs.

Broader Debate on Teacher Welfare

The controversy has reignited long-standing concerns about teacher compensation in Indonesia. While the government has consistently defended its allocation, critics argue that without significant increases in educator pay, the nation risks eroding teacher morale and widening education inequality.

The deepfake controversy underscores how sensitive the debate over education funding remains in Indonesia. While the government points to a record Rp724.3 trillion allocation for 2025, public scrutiny continues over how effectively those funds reach teachers and improve educational outcomes. For Indonesians and regional observers, the issue highlights the ongoing tension between fiscal constraints and the need to elevate teacher welfare as a cornerstone of national development.

Sources: Merdeka.com (2025) , Inilah.com (2025)

Keywords: Sri Mulyani, Education Budget, Teacher Salaries, Indonesia Finance, Education Funding, Teacher Welfare