Bekasi, W. Java. President Prabowo Subianto on Monday unveiled a plan to develop a nationwide network of modern integrated schools, aiming to raise education quality to the level of advanced economies and provide equal access for students from all backgrounds.

Speaking at the national rollout of digital smartboards at a junior high school in Bekasi, W. Java, Prabowo said the government would begin building fully equipped school complexes offering modern learning environments comparable to those in developed countries.

“We will start building integrated schools with modern facilities, just like the schools you see in advanced nations,” Prabowo said. “I am not afraid to launch big programs. If we hesitate, nothing will happen.”

The integrated schools will complement two flagship initiatives already underway: the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) program and the Garuda Schools (Sekolah Garuda) initiative. Together, they form the backbone of Prabowo’s efforts to reduce poverty by expanding access to quality education nationwide.

Chief Human Development Minister Pratikno said the integrated school model will group elementary, junior high, senior high, and vocational schools in a single complex. Facilities will include laboratories, vocational workshops, and sports centers to support both academic and practical skills development.

This aligns with Prabowo’s directive to broaden the curriculum beyond STEM subjects by incorporating arts and sports to promote holistic learning.

The Primary and Secondary Education Ministry is currently reviewing the integrated school concept to determine design standards and regional adjustments before construction begins.

As Prabowo pushes ahead with rapid reforms, he reiterated that bold action is needed to prepare Indonesia’s young generation for global competition.

“Declare it and move toward it,” he said. “That’s how we build the future.”

People’s Schools and Garuda Schools

The government launched 100 free boarding schools in July as part of the People’s School program, targeting children from low-income and extreme-poverty households. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf called the initiative a breakthrough, stating that the government has deployed 1,469 teachers and trained nearly 100 principals to prepare for the first cohort of about 9,700 students.

Each school offers free education from elementary through high school, with dormitories and three nutritious meals a day. Campuses are standardized with government-funded kitchens that also support Indonesia’s national free meal program for school-aged children. Local governments and private partners provide additional support.

The Garuda Schools initiative, launched to expand access to high-quality education across the archipelago, includes two components: Garuda Transformation Schools, which upgrade top-performing senior high schools, and New Garuda Schools built in remote and underdeveloped regions.

The program is part of Prabowo’s “quick win” strategy to strengthen Indonesia’s talent pipeline in science and technology. Schools under this scheme will combine national and international curricula, including the International Baccalaureate, and offer advanced learning facilities. One example is Jakarta’s MH Thamrin High School as a model transformation campus.

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