Jakarta, October 9, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Indonesian government has launched the Garuda School program, a national initiative aimed at cultivating high-quality and globally competitive human resources, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference during the program’s introduction at M.H. Thamrin Top High School in Jakarta, Minister Yuliarto said the initiative is designed to strengthen Indonesia’s education system and better prepare students to compete on the international stage.
“This initiative is expected to generate excellent human resources that can compete with talents from other countries,” the minister stated.
Yuliarto explained that the Garuda School program is among the quick-win programs of President Prabowo Subianto, aimed at enabling Indonesian students to become competent researchers and industrial practitioners. The program represents a key step toward aligning national education objectives with the country’s innovation and industrial development goals.
The minister noted that the government had transformed 12 existing high-performing schools into Garuda Schools, with four new institutions expected to begin operations in the 2026–2027 academic year.
Among the 12 schools now incorporated into the program are SMAN 10 Banda Aceh, Del Private Top School of Toba, MAN IC Ogan Komering Ilir, M.H. Thamrin High School of Jakarta, Cahaya Rancamaya High School of Bogor, Pradita Dirgantara High School of Boyolali, Taruna Nusantara High School of Magelang, Banua High School of Banjarbaru, Siwalima SMAN of Ambon, SMAN 10 Samarinda, MAN IC Gorontalo, and Averos High School of Sorong.
Additionally, four new Garuda Schools will be established in East Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands), South Timor Tengah (East Nusa Tenggara), Konawe (Southeast Sulawesi), and Bulungan (North Kalimantan). These schools are expected to commence operations in the next academic year.
Minister Yuliarto expressed optimism that the Garuda Schools will help more Indonesian students gain admission to top global universities and excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
He emphasized that by focusing on STEM-based education and research, the Garuda School program will serve as a strategic investment in Indonesia’s future, supporting the country’s long-term vision of building an advanced, innovation-driven economy.
