Education Budget Increased in the 2024 State Budget, Reaching a New Record High

The Indonesian government has allocated Rp660.8 trillion (approximately US$43 billion based on current exchange rates) for education in the 2024 State Budget Draft (RAPBN). This is a new record high.

The education budget in the RAPBN 2024 shows a 19.68% increase compared to the 2023 outlook of Rp552.1 trillion.

This education budget constitutes 19.68% of the total state expenditure in the RAPBN 2024, which amounts to Rp3,304.1 trillion.

"To realize superior, integrated, and competitive human resources, an education budget of Rp660.8 trillion, or 20% of the state budget, has been prepared," said President Jokowi in his speech on the 2024 State Budget Bill and Financial Note, as reported by the State Secretariat website on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.

Specifically, this education budget is allocated as follows: Rp237.3 trillion for central government spending, Rp346.6 trillion for transfers to regions (TKD), and Rp77 trillion for investment financing.

According to the 2024 Financial Note, the general policy direction for the education budget next year will focus on:

1. Increasing access to education at all levels through the expansion of compulsory education and educational assistance, including affirmative scholarships, the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP), the Indonesian Smart Card for College (KIP Kuliah), and religious education.

2. Strengthening the quality and availability of early childhood education (PAUD) services through the optimization of regional budgets (APBD) / Village Funds.

3. Accelerating the improvement of supporting infrastructure for educational activities, especially in 3T (remote, outermost, and disadvantaged) areas, in both general and religious education.

4. Improving the competence of teachers and education personnel by continuing the transformation of teachers and education personnel, including through the teacher driving program and the provision of teaching certificates.

5. Strengthening vocational education with the labor market (link and match), including through the strengthening of teaching industry and leading vocational high schools (SMK Pusat Unggulan).

6. Increasing investment in education, including scholarships, research support, cultural advancement, and strengthening universities.