Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reminded regional governments of their responsibility to enhance facilities and improve schools in their respective regions. According to Prabowo, the education budget is available to improve schools. However, the fact that many large schools are still not suitable still puzzles him.
"Although if we open up the budget, it is there. How can a school have only one toilet? How is that possible? I remind the regional governments, mayors, regents, and governors of their responsibility," Prabowo said at SDN Cimahpar 5 Bogor, West Java, on Friday, May 2, 2025, as seen on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
Prabowo said the central government does have a program to renovate schools. However, the government funds are not sufficient to renovate all schools.
The government needs about 30 years to renovate approximately 330,000 schools in Indonesia. This calculation is based on the government's capacity to renovate about 11,000 schools in one year.
"There are probably around 330,000 schools throughout Indonesia. About 200,000 are public schools. If we only improve 11,000 schools this year, it might take 30 years to improve all schools in Indonesia," he said.
The head of state said the government will start renovating about 11,000 schools this year. The renovation will cost around Rp17 trillion.
Prabowo aims to renovate 330,000 schools in Indonesia. However, the budget will not be sufficient to renovate all schools within five years. Nevertheless, the government will consider various ways to ensure that the program to renovate all schools can be carried out, including cost-saving measures.
"We will continue to think. How to find the funds. How to manage resources," he said.
According to Prabowo, Indonesia has abundant potential resources. However, the benefits of this wealth have been leaking and not reaching the people. He also asked officials not to engage in corruption. "Government officials and bureaucrats should not misuse their authority. They should not engage in corruption," he said.
This year, Prabowo targets the construction and renovation of 10,440 schools.
"On National Education Day, the President's priority program was launched, the first of which is to launch the school development. We plan to build and renovate 10,440 schools this year," said Education and Culture Minister Abdul Mu'ti after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
According to Mu'ti, the budget needed to build and renovate 10,440 schools is around Rp16.9 trillion. Prabowo himself announced the plan during a speech at the peak event of National Teacher's Day at the Jakarta International Velodrome, East Jakarta, on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
– Dian Rahma Fika contributed to this article