Jakarta. The Indonesian government plans to launch 500 integrated schools nationwide to address social disparities, improve education quality, and expand access to learning services, especially for underprivileged students.

The initiative, introduced under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, follows a one-roof education model, where early childhood education, elementary, junior high, and senior high or vocational schools are co-located in a single complex under one administrative system. Each district is expected to host at least one integrated school, which will be inclusive and free of charge for students.

Beyond physical integration, the schools will feature a continuous curriculum and vocational facilities tailored to regional needs.

“The Integrated School Program targets 500 schools by 2026,” Muhammad Qodari, Head of the Presidential Staff Office, said on Monday.

The government has allocated around Rp60 trillion ($3.55 billion) for the program.“This program aims to integrate education services to make them more effective, accelerate improvements in education quality, and expand equal access for all citizens,” Qodari added.

According to the East Java Office of the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry, each integrated school is estimated to cost around Rp150 billion ($8.8 million) per location, with land areas of approximately 20 hectares.

Compared with other government initiatives, the integrated school program will have the widest reach. Current programs include roughly 20 Garuda Schools and 160 People’s Schools, while the Integrated School Program targets 500 schools nationwide.