Entering the Harmonization Stage, the RUU Sisdiknas Still Needs Criticism and Input

Illustration - National Education System Law (Sisdiknas). (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - The Chairman of the National Education System Draft Law (RUU Sisdiknas) Working Committee (Panja), Hetifah Sjaifudian, revealed that Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives has agreed to continue discussing the Sisdiknas bill to the harmonization stage at the Legislation Agency (Baleg).

"This decision (to continue to harmonize at Baleg) was approved by all factions accompanied by a number of notes and substantial input from each faction. This harmonization process is an important stage before the Sisdiknas bill is submitted as a DPR initiative proposal, with public participation space that is ensured to remain open," he said in a written statement, Sunday, July 12.

Hetifah explained that the preparation of the Sisdiknas bill had been taking place since January 2025 through various meetings, working visits, public discussions, and consultations with ministries, local governments, academics, professional organizations, education organizers, community organizations, and various other stakeholders.

"Since the beginning of the preparation of the Sisdiknas bill, it has been carried out in a participatory manner by involving various elements of society. The input we received from various regions and stakeholder groups is an important part of improving the substance of this bill," he continued.

He emphasized that the harmonization process in the Legislative Agency was an important stage because the Sisdiknas Bill integrated various education provisions that had been scattered in a number of laws into a more comprehensive and integrated regulatory framework.

Therefore, several strategic issues are of concern, including equitable access to education, optimization of the allocation of education budget of 20 percent of the State Budget and Regional Budget, strengthening the Tri Center of Education which includes families, educational units, and communities, improving the quality and welfare of teachers, strengthening religious education, to inclusive education services for people with disabilities, marginalized communities, and backward, leading, and outermost regions (3T).

The draft Sisdiknas bill itself consists of 16 chapters and 257 articles. Some of the strategic materials regulated include the expansion of compulsory education to 13 years, strengthening the relevance of higher education with the business world and the industrial world, recognition of pesantren as part of the national education system, improvement of the professionalism of teachers and lecturers, protection of learners and educators, integration of national education data, to the affirmation of the use of education budgets of at least 20 percent of the national budget and the APBD more effectively.

According to Hetifah, even though the Sisdiknas bill has entered the harmonization stage, the public can still submit criticism, suggestions, and input at the next stage. After the harmonization process is completed, the Sisdiknas bill will be brought to the DPR RI Plenary Meeting to request approval as a DPR initiative bill before being discussed with the government.