Education in Indonesia: Challenges and the Importance of Reform

Education plays a crucial role in the development of a nation. In Indonesia, despite progress in several aspects, education still faces various challenges that require serious attention. Some of the main issues include inequality in education quality, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of quality teachers.

Inequality in Education Quality

The inequality in education quality is a serious problem, especially in remote areas. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) in 2023, only a few schools in rural areas have access to adequate educational facilities compared to urban areas. Students in remote areas often lack access to proper facilities such as libraries, laboratories, and competent teachers. The Smart Indonesia Program (Program Indonesia Pintar or PIP) attempts to address this gap by providing educational assistance to students from underprivileged families. However, implementation in the field still faces obstacles such as bureaucracy and uneven distribution. Additionally, social stigma towards education in some areas is also a hindering factor.

Educational Infrastructure

Educational infrastructure in Indonesia is far from ideal. Based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) for the 2021/2022 academic year, the condition of school classrooms in Indonesia shows that most schools are still experiencing damage. For elementary schools (SD), about 60.6% of classrooms are in minor to moderate disrepair. At the junior high school (SMP) level, 53.3% of classrooms are damaged. Meanwhile, at the senior high school (SMA) and vocational high school (SMK) levels, 45.03% and 45.23% of classrooms respectively are also experiencing damage.

In rural areas, in particular, schools often lack adequate facilities such as safe classrooms, access to clean water, and appropriate technology. This condition hinders optimal learning processes and often forces students to study in substandard conditions. Moreover, the absence of stable electricity and internet becomes a major obstacle in implementing digital learning, which is increasingly needed in this modern era.

Quality of Teaching Staff

The lack of quality teaching staff is a major challenge in improving the quality of education. Based on data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) in 2023, only about 37.5% of teachers in Indonesia have professional certification. Additionally, the ratio between the number of students and teachers in some areas is still far from ideal, making the teaching and learning process less effective. Many teachers in remote areas also face limitations in accessing continuous professional training and development. This condition causes disparities in teaching quality between schools in urban and rural areas. Strengthening teacher capacity through intensive and continuous training programs is essential to ensure equitable quality of education throughout Indonesia.

Education Reform

Therefore, a comprehensive reform in the Indonesian education system is needed. The government must be more serious in allocating adequate budgets for education, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas. One step that can be taken is to increase the allocation of education funds in the State Budget (APBN) to build and repair damaged school infrastructure. In addition, it is important to conduct ongoing training for teachers and ensure the availability of adequate facilities throughout Indonesia. The use of educational technology, such as e-learning and digital classrooms, can also be a solution to overcome some of these challenges. Support from the private sector and the community is also crucial in creating a conducive and quality educational environment.

Conclusion

In the long term, a planned and measurable education reform will lead Indonesia to an improvement in the quality of human resources. This will not only increase global competitiveness but also ensure that every child, wherever they live, has an equal opportunity to achieve a better future. Quality and equitable education will become a strong foundation for Indonesia's social and economic development in the future.