Jakarta, March 29, 2025 – A different scene unfolded beside Merdeka Palace in Jakarta yesterday. Under the shade of lush trees, hundreds of children were seen joyfully playing together. Some were dashing around with hula hoops spinning around their waists, while others sat comfortably on bean bags, engrossed in a game of snakes and ladders. Some children were deeply immersed in their books as they awaited the arrival of President Prabowo Subianto.
A Friday filled with laughter and the cheerful voices of Indonesian children marked a historic moment as President Prabowo officially enacted the Government Regulation on the Management of Electronic Systems for Child Protection (PP Tunas).
“This regulation aims to protect children from exposure to harmful content that could erode the fundamental values of our golden generation in the digital era. The future of Indonesian children must be safeguarded so they can grow creatively, be physically and mentally healthy, and become courageous, independent, and optimistic individuals leading Indonesia toward a brighter future,” President Prabowo stated.
The enactment of PP Tunas adds to the series of groundbreaking policies introduced by President Prabowo in the field of education and child development, all aimed at realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.
President Prabowo reaffirmed his commitment to shaping an exceptional generation that is not only intelligent but also healthy and prosperous. The success of Indonesia’s future generations heavily depends on policies that effectively address challenges in education and child development.
8 Key Policies for Education and Child Development
- Free Nutritious Meals (MBG)
MBG is a crucial step to ensure that no child suffers from hunger or malnutrition, even from the womb. The government provides free nutritious meals for all children in Indonesia, ensuring they grow strong and healthy with adequate nutrition. - Free Health Check-ups (CKG)
Every child has the right to grow up healthy, and parents must also be in good health. To support this, the government offers Free Health Check-ups for all Indonesian children to ensure optimal physical and mental development. - Boarding Public Schools from Elementary to High School
To guarantee that children from underprivileged families have access to quality education, the government has established boarding public schools from elementary to high school. These schools provide free meals, accommodation, and tuition, helping to break the cycle of poverty. - Elite Boarding High Schools for Gifted Students
For children with exceptional intelligence and talents, as stipulated in Law No. 20 of 2003, Article 5, Paragraph 4, the government has created an ecosystem of Elite Boarding High Schools. This program nurtures the best talents to become future leaders of Indonesia. Within five years, the government aims to establish such schools in every district and city across the country. - PP Tunas: Protecting Children from Online Threats
On Friday, March 28, 2025, President Prabowo signed PP Tunas, a regulation designed to protect children from cyber threats such as bullying and exploitation. This regulation sets minimum age requirements for online platforms, mandates parental consent and supervision based on platform risk levels, and requires platforms to provide digital education for children and parents to ensure safe and responsible internet use. - Direct Teacher Allowance Transfers and Salary Increases
Teachers are the backbone of Indonesia’s education system. Recognizing their dedication, President Prabowo has increased teacher salaries and implemented direct allowance transfers as a token of appreciation for their hard work in educating the nation’s children.
“Education is the pathway to a nation’s success. A prosperous and advanced country must master science and technology. Therefore, education must be a top priority in the national budget (APBN),” President Prabowo stated when announcing the direct allowance transfer policy on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
- School Renovations by the Central Government
The government has allocated the largest education budget in Indonesia’s history for school renovations. A total of 10,000 schools will undergo renovations, with Rp 17.1 trillion in funding to ensure every child has access to safe and comfortable learning facilities.
“Schools, in my belief, are the foundation of national development. Schools must be in good condition, clean, and well-maintained. No school should have a collapsed roof or lack proper restrooms for children,” President Prabowo remarked during National Teachers’ Day on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
- Smart Boards in Every Classroom
To advance education in the digital era, the government is committed to equipping every classroom in Indonesia, including those in remote areas, with Smart Boards. These tools will provide children with access to digital teaching aids and dynamic learning content, making the educational experience more interactive and engaging.
The implementation of these eight crucial policies underscores President Prabowo’s commitment to shaping the Golden Generation of 2045. He firmly believes that Indonesia has the potential to cultivate future leaders who are well-prepared to tackle global challenges.
“We prioritize education, believing that education and healthcare services are the true pathways out of poverty,” President Prabowo declared during the 2025 Budget Allocation (DIPA) announcement on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
These policies are not only designed to enhance intelligence but also to ensure that all Indonesian children lead better, healthier, and more secure lives. The government remains confident that equitable and high-quality education will lay the foundation for Indonesia to achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045. (RR)
