National Integrated Schools to drive regional talent development

hartono · Aug 7, 2026

National Integrated Schools to drive regional talent development

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq converses with a prospective beneficiary of the National Integrated Schools (SNT) program in Cianjur, West Java, on Wednesday (Aug. 5, 2026). ANTARA/HO—Primary and Secondary Education Ministry

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government intends to use the National Integrated Schools (SNT) program to help regions boost the quality of their human resources, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq said.

During a dialogue with prospective SNT students in Cianjur District, West Java, on Wednesday (Aug. 5), he emphasized that schools developed under the program would symbolize “the center for education quality” of their host regions.

“The presence of an SNT in Cianjur signifies that the district already has a center for education quality expected to produce the best generation for regional and national development,” he said, according to a statement received here on Friday.

Fajar stressed that the government is committed to making SNT a successful initiative by ensuring reliable infrastructure and qualified teachers.

“The government truly hopes for the younger generation nurtured by the schools to become part of Indonesia’s leadership in the future,” he added.

He also alerted SNT students to potential adverse impacts from technological development, urging them to balance academic excellence with strong character and critical thinking capacity.

To address the challenge, he continued, the SNT program adopts a deep learning approach to instill habits of questioning, critical thinking, and idea expansion so pupils can help identify solutions to public issues.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti had earlier unveiled the target of launching the SNT program in 17 districts and cities in the 2026/2027 academic year.

At a July 20 media briefing in Jakarta, he explained that the government would initially use existing facilities owned by state institutions as “transition classrooms” while permanent campuses are under construction, with a broader goal of establishing schools in 37 regions in 2026.

“Our objective is to prepare 500 schools gradually through 2029,” the minister added.

Admissions will be prioritized for local children to support nationwide improvements in education quality, according to Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) Mohammad Qodari on July 28.

He said the policy is intended to help reduce disparities in education quality, noting that only around 4 percent of sub-districts across Indonesia have junior and senior high schools that deliver strong educational outcomes.