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| Illustration of Garuda School Construction Outside Java. |
The Indonesian government has reaffirmed its commitment to equalizing access to quality education across the country. Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto announced that the government is targeting the construction of four Garuda Schools in four provinces outside Java.
Each school will require an investment of around IDR 200 billion. The four locations selected for the new Garuda Schools are East Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands), South Central Timor (East Nusa Tenggara), South Konawe (Southeast Sulawesi), and Bulungan (North Kalimantan).
According to Brian, the Garuda School development is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Quick Best Result Program (PHTC). This initiative aims to provide equal access to quality education throughout Indonesia, ensuring that children from remote areas receive the same learning opportunities as those in major cities.
Brian explained that Garuda Schools are designed as top-tier institutions equipped with modern facilities and up-to-date curricula. The government plans to build a total of 20 new Garuda Schools and transform 80 existing ones by 2029.
“The government wants to eliminate the educational quality gap between regions. Children outside Java deserve the same high-quality education as those in urban areas,” Brian said.
He added that Garuda Schools will focus on character building, digital literacy, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. Graduates are expected to be competitive both nationally and internationally.
In addition to modern facilities, the government plans to recruit top educators to teach at Garuda Schools. Teacher training programs will also be strengthened to maintain teaching quality aligned with Indonesia’s vision for advanced education.
The government is confident that the presence of Garuda Schools will bring positive impacts not only in education but also in local economies. Construction projects are expected to create new job opportunities and stimulate supporting sectors such as transportation, construction, and local material supply.
Communities in the four designated regions have welcomed the initiative. Many residents hope that the Garuda Schools will become centers of excellence that produce skilled and competitive young generations.
With a target of 100 new and transformed Garuda Schools by 2029, the government aims to realize the vision of a Progressive Indonesia through equitable, high-quality education.
