- The government is distributing smartboards to schools nationwide, including in remote and underdeveloped areas.
- Schools without electricity or internet will receive solar panels and offline enabled devices.
- A nationwide teacher training system supports the effective use of digital tools in classrooms.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is pushing forward with one of the country’s biggest education tech initiatives. It is distributing smart digital screens, or smartboards, to schools across the country, including those in remote and underserved regions.
The initiative supports equal access to quality education, even in the country’s 3T areas, underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions. To address infrastructure challenges, the ministry is partnering with PT PLN to install solar panels in schools without electricity. Schools lacking internet access will still benefit, as the smartboards can run offline using preloaded content via external storage.
“Digital learning shouldn't be limited to urban schools. We're committed to making it accessible to every child, regardless of location”, said Gogot Suharwoto, Director General of Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary Education.
To ensure the smartboards are used effectively, the government has introduced a comprehensive teacher training program. It includes face-to-face workshops, webinars, online modules, and peer learning communities. This multi-tiered approach helps teachers learn how to use the devices and encourages collaborative learning in schools.
Addressing concerns that the initiative may be symbolic or ineffective, Suharwoto explained that the device distribution goes through a strict verification process, involving cross-checking school data, local government validation, and formal consent from schools.
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President Prabowo Subianto previously announced that the government aims to distribute smartboards to 330,000 schools by the end of 2025, calling it a game changer for improving education delivery, especially in areas with teacher shortages.
“This program is not just about giving out devices”, Suharwoto emphasized. “It’s about ensuring inclusivity, adaptability, and equal opportunity in learning for all Indonesian students”.
