Government Implements Fiscal Reform Without Disrupting Education Quality
By: Aditi Kiran Sari
The government continues to strive to implement fiscal reform by implementing budget efficiency without sacrificing the quality of education. This step is in line with Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025 concerning spending efficiency in the implementation of the APBN and APBD.
With this strategy, state financial management remains effective while ensuring that the education sector does not experience a decline in quality. In addition, this fiscal reform is a strategic step in balancing state spending with priority needs that have a direct impact on society.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) continues to prioritize priority education programs that have a direct impact on society. The provision of social assistance through the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP) for elementary, junior high, senior high, and vocational high schools remains a primary concern.
In addition, various allowances for non-ASN teachers, both in public and private schools, are still allocated in the 2025 Fiscal Year (TA) budget. Salaries and allowances for employees within the Kemendikdasmen environment are also ensured to be fully available.
In addition, the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program is still being implemented according to schedule to ensure an increase in the quality of educators in Indonesia. In this case, the government ensures that there are no budget cuts that could affect the welfare of educators or access to education for students from underprivileged families.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, emphasized that the budget adjustment from IDR 33.5 trillion to IDR 26.27 trillion was carried out carefully so as not to disrupt the implementation of the education program.
According to him, the budget efficiency still takes into account the sustainability of the education program and the welfare of educators throughout Indonesia. Operations in the main units and Technical Implementation Units (UPT) in the regions continue to run normally without any disruption.
The main focus in the budget allocation is focused on improving vocational education, protecting and developing regional languages, school accreditation, and implementing the Academic Ability Test (TKA) which is scheduled to take place in November 2025. In addition, the government is also paying special attention to the digitalization of education in order to expand access to more inclusive and modern learning.
Chairperson of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Hetifah Sjaifudian, expressed her appreciation for the efforts made by the Ministry of Education and Culture in maintaining the continuity of priority education programs. According to her, spending for State Civil Apparatus (ASN) remains safe, social assistance such as PIP has not been cut, and various contracts and ongoing goods purchases are being continued.
She also emphasized that priority programs designed by the government continue to receive adequate budget allocations. The continuity of education programs that are part of the national strategic agenda remains a priority so that the fiscal reforms carried out do not create disparities in the distribution of education in various regions.
Meanwhile, Prabowo Subianto’s Spokesperson, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, emphasized that budget efficiency in the education sector is not carried out carelessly. According to him, there are a number of ministers who have misunderstood the efficiency policy so that it has the potential to cause concern in the community.
He emphasized that efficiency is only carried out on budget allocations that are considered not on target and do not have a direct impact on public services or human resources.
The government only restructures budgets that do not support the main goal of improving the quality of education. He also highlighted the importance of good communication between government officials so that the policies implemented can be properly understood by the wider community.
Dahnil also reminded that all levels of government should follow the president’s instructions carefully. He emphasized that the efficiency policy implemented remains based on the principles of equality and sustainability.
The President has emphasized that budget restructuring is only implemented if there is an inappropriate allocation so that it will not have a negative impact on education or the welfare of teaching staff. According to him, this policy must be seen as a strategic step to optimize budget use without sacrificing fundamental aspects in the world of education.
In addition, the government also continues to encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors in supporting education programs. With the efficiency carried out, the space for investment in the education sector is increasingly wide open, allowing various parties to contribute to creating a more advanced education ecosystem.
