Indonesian Students to Protest Education Ministry Over Policy Concerns

Students from the University of Indonesia (UI) are preparing to voice their dissent through a demonstration at the Ministry of Education buildings on Monday, May 4, 2026, coinciding with National Education Day. This action reflects a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the current state of national education policies, which many students and educators feel are misdirected and failing to serve the core purpose of national development.

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Bukannya pemerintah memperbaiki kebijakan pendidikan, tapi pemerintah malah mencari jalan alternatif untuk menutup prodi yang tidak relevan. Padahal itu sebenarnya tidak tepat.

The protest, organized by the UI Student Executive Body (BEM UI), will bring together hundreds of students from across 15 faculties. Their grievances are multifaceted, encompassing concerns about the reallocation of education funds towards the 'Free Nutritious Meals' (MBG) program, which they argue detracts from essential educational improvements. They are demanding increased welfare for teachers, lecturers, and support staff, alongside a push for genuinely high-quality educational policies that foster critical thinking rather than merely catering to market demands.

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Itu juga masih belum tercapai dikarenakan ada kanibalisasi anggaran pendidikan untuk MBG (Makan Bergizi Gratis).

Furthermore, the students are advocating for safer campus environments, free from all forms of violence, including sexual harassment, and are strongly opposing the increasing commercialization of education. This sentiment is echoed by other student alliances, such as 'Me(i)lawan', who are also planning demonstrations. The collective voice of these students highlights a critical national conversation about the future direction of education in Indonesia, emphasizing its role in national enlightenment and the cultivation of critical minds, a perspective that may differ from international discussions focused primarily on economic utility.

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Pendidikan tidak diciptakan untuk menjawab kebutuhan pasar semata, melainkan untuk mencerdaskan kehidupan bangsa dan mengembangkan nalar kritis.