Govt to Make English Mandatory for Third Graders Starting in 2027
00:00
00:00
- The Indonesian government has officially decided to make English a compulsory subject for elementary school students, beginning in the third grade, starting in the 2027 academic year.
- To ensure a smooth nationwide implementation, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is prioritizing human capital development by rolling out intensive, large-scale English training programs for primary school teachers across all provinces.
- Minister Abdul Mu’ti emphasized that this policy is part of a broader strategy to improve the quality of education, equip young learners with 21st-century skills, and ultimately enhance the global competitiveness of Indonesian students.
JAKARTA, INDONESIAN POST — The Indonesian government officially announced on Sunday the introduction of English as a mandatory subject for elementary school students, slated to take effect in the 2027 academic year.
While English has long been taught informally or offered as an elective in many Indonesian schools, public institutions have historically only mandated the subject from junior high school onward.
Against this backdrop, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti stated that the government intends to integrate English instruction much earlier in the national education system.
“Starting in 2027, English will become a compulsory subject beginning in the third grade of elementary school,” Abdul Mu’ti said during a recent working visit to East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
The minister explained that his office is currently formulating a series of supporting measures to ensure the nationwide rollout of the policy. A key component of this preparation involves launching a large-scale English language training program tailored specifically for elementary school teachers.
“We are building a robust mechanism to guarantee the program’s success, which includes providing intensive English courses to equip our primary school teachers,” he added.
He highlighted that this new policy is part of a broader government strategy to elevate the overall quality of education and equip students with essential 21st-century skills from a young age.
“By fostering English proficiency among Indonesian students early on, we expect to significantly boost their competitiveness on the global stage,” the minister continued.
Concluding his remarks, Abdul Mu’ti stressed that human capital development—particularly ensuring the readiness of educators—remains the government’s top priority before the policy is officially socialized and enforced across the archipelago.
“This training program will be rolled out gradually to elementary school teachers across all provinces in Indonesia,” he said.
INDONESIA ALYOUM | JAKARTA GLOBE | INDONESIAN POST
