Jokowi Proposes Rp722.6 Trillion Education Budget in 2025

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced on Friday that the Indonesian Government has proposed an allocation of Rp722.6 trillion (approximately USD46 billion) in the 2025 State Budget (APBN) Draft, dedicated to advancing the nation’s educational sector.

During a plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta, President Jokowi outlined the strategic deployment of the proposed budget. “The educational budget of Rp722.6 trillion is to be mobilized to fund efforts aimed at boosting the nutritional intake of schoolchildren, renovating schools, developing excellent schools, and expanding scholarship programs,” he stated.

President Jokowi further emphasized that the proposed funds would also support cultural preservation, the promotion of international-level universities, and the financing of research activities. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance Indonesia’s educational framework and foster long-term national development.

Earlier in the week, during the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Joint Session of the DPR and Regional House of Representatives (DPD), President Jokowi highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to social welfare programs, which have been a priority over the past decade.

The president specifically mentioned the Smart Indonesia Card program, which has seen the disbursement of Rp113 trillion (USD7.1 billion) from the APBN to meet the educational needs of approximately 20 million students annually. Additionally, he pointed out that a budget of Rp60.3 trillion (USD3.8 billion) has been allocated to the Pre-Employment program, aimed at enhancing the skills of around 18.8 million workers across the country.

In addressing health and social welfare, President Jokowi also noted that Rp361 trillion (USD23 billion) has been earmarked for the Healthy Indonesia Card program, which supports health services for over 92 million participants of the National Health Insurance (JKN) each year. Furthermore, Rp225 trillion (USD14.3 billion) has been allocated for the Family Hope program, designed to improve the living standards of approximately 10 million families annually.

These initiatives reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to bolster education, healthcare, and social welfare, as Indonesia continues to strive for sustainable development and improved quality of life for its citizens.