Indonesia’s Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy Standards

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has initiated a collaborative pilot project across six districts and cities in Indonesia to improve literacy and numeracy skills among primary education students. Announced on April 9, 2026, the program is a joint effort between Kemendikdasmen, the Tanoto Foundation, UNICEF, the Global Gates Foundation, and six local governments.

Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that the partnership is a sustainable collaboration intended to remain in place until 2029. The program aims to address ongoing challenges regarding the literacy and numeracy levels of Indonesian children, specifically targeting the phenomena of learning poverty and learning loss.

The initiative involves more than 500 schools. According to the ministry, the project will not be limited to teacher training; Kemendikdasmen will also monitor the implementation of the program to ensure that learning aligns with the deep learning found in textbooks and other essential aspects of improving foundational skills.

This effort comes as the government acknowledges that literacy and numeracy levels in the country remain low. The ministry noted that these interventions are necessary because academic achievements, including scores from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), have not yet reached expected levels.

Mathematics Complexity and Academic Testing

Alongside the primary education pilot project, Minister Abdul Mu’ti has raised concerns regarding the complexity of mathematics at the basic education level. The minister has requested that mathematics for basic levels not be made too complex.

This request follows observations regarding the Academic Ability Test (TKA). Minister Abdul Mu’ti noted that mathematics scores for the 2026 TKA for Junior High School (SMP) students were nearly identical to the scores recorded for Senior High School (SMA) students in 2025.

Systemic Strategies for Foundational Competency

The focus on literacy and numeracy aligns with the broader objectives of Indonesia’s Kurikulum Merdeka. This curriculum strategy sharpens the focus on foundational competencies, recognizing that literacy and numeracy are essential for all students. This approach is implemented alongside the cultivation of 21st-century skills and social-emotional development.

Beyond government-led pilot projects, academic research has highlighted specific pedagogical strategies to strengthen these foundational skills. Literature reviews on Indonesian education indicate that Project-Based Learning (PjBL) in Indonesian language learning can be an effective strategy for increasing literacy and numeracy in elementary schools.

Research suggests that PjBL helps students link academic concepts with real-life situations through authentic and meaningful learning contexts. This method is reported to increase critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative abilities, which are necessary for students to face global challenges in the digital era.

The current government strategy emphasizes a combination of systemic curriculum shifts, targeted international partnerships, and a move toward reducing unnecessary complexity in basic mathematics to ensure students achieve the required standard of foundational competence.