- Indonesia to offer scholarships to 150,000 teachers from 2026 to upgrade qualifications and improve education quality nationwide
- Program enables teachers without a bachelor’s degree to pursue D4/S1 through the Recognition of Prior Learning system with semester grants of 3 million rupiah
- Initiative aims to enhance teacher welfare, professional certification eligibility, and strengthen the country’s inclusive and high-quality education system
Indonesia is set to significantly scale up its investment in teacher education, with the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education announcing scholarships for 150,000 teachers across the country from 2026. The initiative seeks to upgrade teacher qualifications and improve the quality of education throughout the nation.
Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti explained that the program will provide opportunities for teachers who have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree (D4/S1) to pursue higher education through the Recognition of Prior Learning system.
"Next year we will give teachers who have not yet attained a D4 or S1 degree the chance to study at the undergraduate level through RPL", Abdul Mu'ti said during the Open University graduation seminar at the UT Convention Centre, South Tangerang, on Monday, November 24, 2025, as quoted by Antara.
Through the scholarship scheme, the ministry will grant 3 million Indonesian rupiah to each recipient per semester. The RPL system enables the formal recognition and conversion of teaching experience into academic credits, thus enabling teachers to finish their studies with more efficiency. He also stressed that acquiring a bachelor’s degree is an essential step toward improving teachers’ welfare.
"Teachers are expected to see better welfare if they meet the S1 qualification because with that, they can join the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program. Hopefully, through PPG, they will meet the requirements to receive certification allowances", he further said.
Also Read: MOE Reduces O-Level Subject Requirement for JC Admission
The scholarships will be open to all teachers who have not yet completed a D4 or S1 degree, with the detailed mechanism to be announced soon. In addition, the minister said, the program builds on an existing one that presently benefits 12,500 teachers.
"Through this effort, we work to organize the system so that innovations fulfill constitutional mandates and serve as a gateway to building quality education", said Minister Mu'ti.
"We fully realize that quality education begins with the quality of teachers, and that it also depends on strong learning facilities and infrastructure”, added the Minisyer. Responding to the announcement, Open University (UT) Rector Ali Muktiyanto expressed readiness to partner with Kemendikdasmen in advancing teacher quality. He emphasized the need for synergy between elementary and secondary education and higher education institutions.
"UT is part of that ecosystem in providing sustainable pathways for teachers, education personnel, and the larger community to improve their competencies through inclusive higher education, which is already available today", said Ali Muktiyanto. This expanded scholarship program highlights the commitment of Indonesia to improving its teaching workforce so that educators are better equipped to meet professional standards while fostering a resilient and inclusive education system.
