Daftarsbmptn.com – A Collection of Education News 2019-2023, compiled by the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network, is a collection of analyses, reports, and news stories related to key education issues in Indonesia from 2019 to 2023. This book highlights the various challenges facing the Indonesian education sector, ranging from disparities in access to education, the quality of teaching and curriculum, to obstacles in the management and allocation of educational resources.
This book presents a variety of significant events, policies, and regulatory changes impacting education across the country, focusing on how these policies affect access to and quality of education for the wider community. Through various articles and reports compiled, this book invites readers to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of education in Indonesia, both the challenges and ongoing improvement efforts. This book is expected to be an important reference for education practitioners, policymakers, and the public concerned about the future of inclusive and equitable education in Indonesia.
The 2019–2023 period was a time of both challenges and important learnings for Indonesian education. Various education news stories during this period highlighted complex dynamics: from the Freedom to Learn policy, digital disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, to the disparity in education quality between regions. “A steep road” is an apt metaphor to describe the long process towards a truly high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education system.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) initiated various reforms, such as:
- The Freedom to Learn Curriculum to provide space for innovation for teachers and students.
- The Independent Campus (Kampus Merdeka) program, an effort to align higher education with the world of work.
- The National Assessment (AN) replaced the National Examination (Ujian Nasional), emphasizing literacy and character.
However, its implementation has not been fully equitable. Schools in underdeveloped regions face limitations in infrastructure, internet connectivity, and teacher resources. These progressive reforms are often only effective in urban areas, leaving a significant gap between the central and regional governments.
The pandemic has become the national education system’s greatest test. Distance learning (PJJ) has exposed a harsh reality: not all students have equal access to technology.
- Students in urban areas are relatively adaptable thanks to access to devices and the internet.
- Conversely, in remote areas, many are left behind due to limited facilities.
Various news stories throughout 2020–2022 highlighted the struggles of teachers teaching from home, using radio or printed modules, and the increasing dropout rate. The pandemic emphasized that educational equity is not just about the curriculum, but also about equal access.
Teachers remain the spearhead of quality education. However, many teachers still face classic problems:
- High administrative burdens,
- Lack of ongoing training,
- Wealth inequality between civil servants (ASN) and contract workers.
News about the struggles of contract teachers and the PPPK ASN recruitment policy illustrate the dynamics of this professional reform. Teachers should be empowered to become lifelong learners, not simply implementers of policies.
Equitable education means that all children, regardless of economic, social, or geographic background, receive equal learning opportunities. However, news reports indicate:
- Disparities in BOS funds between regions,
- Unequal school facilities,
- Limited access to inclusive education for people with disabilities.
Government efforts through the Smart Indonesia Program, affirmative action scholarships for disadvantaged regions, and inclusive schools are important steps, but they require consistent policies and strict oversight to truly benefit.
The digital era brings both significant opportunities and new risks.
Innovations such as the Merdeka Mengajar platform, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and edtech startups open up unlimited access to learning. However, issues such as the digital literacy gap, dependence on technology, and the need for an adaptive curriculum have also emerged.
News reports from 2022–2023 highlight the importance of equipping students with 21st-century skills: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy.
The “rocky road” to quality and equitable education illustrates a long journey that requires collaboration: from the government, teachers, the community, the business world, and the media.
This anthology of education news from 2019–2023 demonstrates that change is not instantaneous, but public awareness of the importance of equity and quality education is now growing stronger.
With shared commitment, continuous innovation, and equitable access, this difficult path can slowly become a bright path toward an inclusive, intelligent, and equitable future for Indonesian education.