Impacted by Budget Efficiency, Garuda's Leading Schools Are Not Considered Urgent by the Public

JAKARTA, KOMPAS– The Garuda Excellence School Program, aimed at preparing world-class young talents in the fields of science and technology, is affected by the 2025 budget efficiency measures. The budget allocation of Rp 2 trillion for building new schools and transforming existing schools into Garuda Excellence Schools has been cut by up to 60 percent.

Amid public criticism regarding the efficiency of the education budget, the construction of Garuda High School for children excelling in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is considered not urgent. The government is urged to focus more on strengthening the provision of high-quality inclusive schools.

Even in the mass movement Indonesia Gelap #DaruratPendidikan at various campuses and regions echoed by students until Monday (17/2/2025), the government program that burdens the budget, thereby cutting the education budget, was highlighted.

Several programs such as the Garuda School and Free Nutritious Meals have been requested to be halted or reviewed. This call was made, among others, by the Gadjah Mada University Student Alliance.

In a working meeting with Commission X of the DPR last week, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, stated that the Garuda Excellent School program is a rapid best result program (PHTC).

However, the planned budget of Rp 2 trillion was reduced by Rp 1.2 trillion by the Directorate General of Garuda Excellent School. Thus, the remaining budget is Rp 800 billion. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) requested that the budget for Garuda Excellent School not be subjected to efficiency cuts.

It was stated that the budget allocation of IDR 2 trillion was to build the Garuda Superior School, transform schools into Garuda Superior Schools, and partnerships to strengthen science and technology talents.

The Garuda Excellent School program aims to overcome the backwardness in science and technology. The impact of the Garuda Excellent High School ecosystem is improving the quality of science and technology as well as improving human resources and the economy.

However, according to Satryo, due to budget efficiency, it is feared that improving the quality of science and technology education at the senior high school level will not be achieved.

In addition, budget cuts for the program have the potential to reduce opportunities for students from various regions and economic backgrounds to study at the world's best universities.

Executive Director of Barisan Pengkaji Pendidikan Dhitta Puti Sarasvati, in Jakarta, on Monday (2/17/2025), said that the government's plan to present the Garuda Excellence School for smart students in STEM and the People's School for children from extremely poor families needs to be criticized. Because, in principle, all schools must be free and of high quality.

"Especially when the school level is included in the compulsory education program. This is not just about requiring citizens to follow a certain education. The state must ensure that all citizens have access to quality education at that level of education," said Puti.

Garuda's flagship school will use a different curriculum from regular high schools. Because, its students are specially selected nationally and have above average abilities.

The state must ensure that all citizens have access to quality education at that level of education.

This school is also a pre-university so that these children become world-class superior talents. This is because these students will later continue their education at renowned universities in Indonesia or abroad.

New schools will be built in East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, Bangka Belitung, and the Capital City of the Archipelago. The target is for 40 superior Garuda high schools to be established by the Directorate General of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Education and Technology in the next five years.

Puti emphasized that the government should pay attention to the importance of basic education. Because, improving the quality of basic education is one of the strategic policies that will affect many other policies.

Improving the quality of basic education can be done by ensuring that all elementary school teachers have access to quality teacher education. In addition, all leaders must be responsible for seriously improving basic education.

"We propose that there be a legal umbrella in the form of a presidential regulation or presidential instruction in improving the quality of basic education. We hope that improving the quality of basic education is carried out in a structured, systematic, and massive manner," Puti emphasized.

Separately, the founder of the Family of Concerned Education (KerLip) Yanti Sriyulianti assessed that the Garuda Superior High School project could trigger a quality gap between schools. This is contrary to the constitution and Pancasila.

"The fifth principle of Pancasila, namely Social Justice for all Indonesian People, is the basis for why the government must prioritize equality, including in fulfilling the right to education," he said.

According to Yanti, the summary of the 2025-2045 National Education Roadmap revealed that there are no public high schools/vocational schools in 727 sub-districts. Therefore, instead of providing a budget for leading high schools, the government should focus on fulfilling this, especially with the priority of 13 years of compulsory education.

The Universal Participation touted by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti can be a solution to encourage affirmative action. That includes for talented STEM children and preparing several state universities (PTN) to become top world universities.

Indonesia is in danger of failing to meet the target of education for all and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are only five years away. Taking sides with all Indonesian people without discrimination or special treatment for certain groups must be a priority in education development.

"However, amidst the limitations, we must dare to choose sides to ensure that all Indonesian people have the right to quality education for all fairly and equally," Yanti emphasized.