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Indonesian lawmakers question President's directive on French language classes
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesian lawmakers question President's directive on French language classes

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reportedly instructed that French be taught in schools, following a similar past directive for Portuguese.
  • The DPR's Commission X is seeking clarification from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology regarding the feasibility and planning of these language programs.
  • Lawmakers emphasize that foreign language education should align with national needs, curriculum readiness, and teacher preparedness, rather than solely international diplomacy.

A directive from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to implement French language education in schools has prompted scrutiny from the national legislature. The move follows a similar, yet apparently unfulfilled, instruction from the President to introduce Portuguese language classes.

Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR), which oversees education, plans to question the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikdasmen). The commission noted that the previous initiative to teach Portuguese, announced in October 2026, has yet to show concrete progress in terms of roadmaps, regulations, or implementation readiness.

We will certainly ask Kemendikdasmen to explain this at a joint meeting with us.

— Lalu HadrianDeputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives, regarding the President's directive on French language education.

"We will certainly ask Kemendikdasmen to explain this at a joint meeting with us," stated Lalu Hadrian, Deputy Chairman of Commission X. He expressed concern that such policies might be perceived as purely diplomatic gestures without adequate educational planning. "We hope the President's wish is not just part of international diplomacy, so its implementation is not without careful planning," he added.

We hope the President's wish is not just part of international diplomacy, so its implementation is not without careful planning.

— Lalu HadrianDeputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives, expressing concern over the planning of new language programs.

While acknowledging the importance of foreign language proficiency, lawmakers stress that educational policies must be based on actual needs, curriculum development, teacher training, and student benefits. Hadrian suggested that if readiness is not comprehensive, implementation should be gradual, perhaps as an elective subject or a special program in select schools.

President Prabowo reportedly made the remarks about French during a state visit to Paris on May 28, 2026, expressing a desire to enhance bilateral ties in science, technology, and education. He believes that in an uncertain global climate, Indonesia and France can play a positive role in maintaining peace.

I have instructed that all levels of school in Indonesia must learn French, seeing the development of the world going forward.

— Prabowo SubiantoPresident of Indonesia, speaking about the directive for French language education.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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