New policy aims to boost 21st‑century skills, backed by nationwide teacher training and school revitalisation.
Indonesia will require English as a compulsory subject in elementary schools from 2027, as the government moves to strengthen basic education and prepare pupils to compete in a globalised economy.
New Policy Starts In 2027
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti announced that English will become a mandatory subject in Indonesia’s elementary schools beginning in 2027. He spoke while launching an education revitalisation programme at a public vocational school in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The move reverses earlier shifts that left English largely optional at the primary level and is framed as a national step toward aligning early schooling with international standards.
Nationwide Training For Primary Teachers
Mu’ti said his ministry is drawing up supporting measures to implement the change, with a core focus on teacher readiness. English training will be provided gradually to elementary school teachers across Indonesia, recognising that many currently lack formal language or methodology training for young learners. The phased approach is meant to avoid overloading schools while building a basic level of competence among teachers before the subject becomes compulsory nationwide.
Building 21st Century Skills From An Early Age
The minister described the policy as part of broader efforts to equip students with 21st‑century skills, including communication, collaboration and digital literacy. Earlier mastery of English is seen as a gateway to global knowledge, online resources and future study or work opportunities. “With earlier English mastery, Indonesian students are expected to compete on the global stage,” Mu’ti said, signalling that language instruction is being treated as a strategic investment rather than a secondary add‑on.
Revitalisation And Digitalisation As Supporting Pillars
Mu’ti stressed that school revitalisation and digitalisation projects are not end goals in themselves, but tools to raise the quality of education services. Upgraded facilities, better connectivity and digital platforms are intended to support more engaging language lessons and access to modern teaching materials. At the same time, the ministry is prioritising improvements in teacher qualifications and competencies so that new hardware and software translate into better learning, not just new equipment on campuses.
Raising Teaching Standards Alongside Curriculum Change
The minister emphasised that curriculum reforms must go hand in hand with professional development. By focusing on teacher upskilling, the ministry aims to avoid a gap between ambitious policy targets and classroom reality, especially in rural and under‑resourced areas. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the initiative signals Indonesia’s intent to strengthen human capital from the ground up, using English as one of several levers to raise overall education quality and future employability in a competitive regional labour market.
Indonesia’s decision to make English compulsory in primary schools from 2027, backed by large‑scale teacher training and school revitalisation, reflects a push to embed global skills early in children’s education. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the policy highlights a broader regional trend: countries are rethinking basic education not just as national preparation, but as a platform for participation in an increasingly interconnected world.
Sources: Antara (2026) , Jakarta Globe (2026)
Keywords: Compulsory English 2027, Primary And Secondary Education Minister, Teacher Upskilling Programme, East Lombok Revitalisation, Education Quality Improvement, Global Competitiveness
