Politics · Indonesia · 1 hr ago
Indonesia Plans Grade-Retention Policy for 2027/2028 School Year
Indonesia's Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti says the policy will start in 2027/2028.
It would allow students to repeat a grade rather than move up automatically.
The policy is still being studied, and Mu'ti says it has been presented to President Prabowo Subianto.
Lalu Hadrian, deputy chair of the parliamentary Commission X, says the plan needs a thorough review before it is introduced.
He says decisions should focus on students' skills and progress, not just whether they pass to the next grade.
He also warns that education standards must not fall and says students who struggle need learning support, teacher guidance and, where needed, parent involvement.
Hadrian says teachers must be ready for implementation, and the time before the planned start should be used to prepare.
Indonesia plans to bring back grade retention in the 2027/2028 school year, Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said.
Mu'ti said the policy aims to motivate students, improve their grasp of academic material and strengthen their character.
Promotion decisions are expected to consider students’ character development as well as academic performance.
A lawmaker urged the government to study the plan carefully and prepare teachers and other forms of student support.
The ministry is preparing regulations and technical guidance for the policy.
- Who
- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, led by Abdul Mu'ti, plans the policy. Lalu Hadrian, deputy chair of the House of Representatives’ Commission X, called for careful review.
- What
- Indonesia plans to bring back grade retention. Promotion decisions are expected to consider academic progress and character development.
- When
- The policy is planned to begin in the 2027/2028 school year.
- Where
- Indonesia.
- Why
- Mu'ti said it is intended to motivate students, improve academic mastery and build strong character and mental resilience.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
Lalu Hadrian, deputy chair of Commission X
Purpose
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
The ministry says grade retention is intended to motivate students, improve mastery of academic material and develop character.
Lalu Hadrian, deputy chair of Commission X
Hadrian says education evaluation should focus on students’ competencies, not simply whether they advance to the next grade.
Implementation
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
The ministry is preparing regulations and technical guidance for the planned 2027/2028 start.
Lalu Hadrian, deputy chair of Commission X
Hadrian says the policy needs careful study, teacher readiness and support for students who struggle.
Abdul Mu'ti said the policy was under review and planned to begin in the 2027/2028 school year.
Lalu Hadrian called for careful study and preparation, including teacher readiness and support for students.
The ministry is preparing ministerial regulations and technical guidance for implementation.
The policy is planned to take effect.
- Planned start
- 2027/2028 school year
- Minister
- Abdul Mu'ti
- Reviewing lawmaker
- Lalu Hadrian
- Relevant legislature committee
- Commission X of the House of Representatives
- Policy preparation
- Ministerial regulations and technical guidance are being prepared
3 sources
What people are saying
Through a policy of automatic grade retention, the government hopes students will be more motivated to learn, improve their mastery of the material, and build strong character and mental resilience.
In principle, education evaluation must be oriented toward mastery of competencies, not merely whether students advance or do not advance a grade.
This policy also needs to be studied carefully so it does not cause a decline in education quality standards.