PDIP Warns Prabowo Not to Casually Implement Foreign Languages in Schools

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed a desire to implement French language education across all school levels in Indonesia, following his state visit to France. Prabowo stated that given the strong relationship between Indonesia and France, expanding cooperation into education, science, and technology is crucial.

However, Andreas Hugo Pareira, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PDIP faction, has advised caution regarding making French a mandatory subject. Pareira noted that the current curriculum already dictates which languages are considered important for study. He suggested that while French is an international language, its inclusion as a compulsory subject requires careful consideration.

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I think our curriculum has already determined, ya, bahasa-bahasa apa yang penting.

"I think our curriculum has already determined, yes, what languages are important," Pareira said during a party event in Jakarta. He urged Prabowo not to issue directives for mandatory language learning lightly, especially after meeting with foreign leaders. "So, don't later when we meet, what, the leader of a country and then that language becomes a mandatory curriculum," he added.

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So, don't later when we meet, what, the leader of a country and then that language becomes a mandatory curriculum.

Currently, English is the only mandatory foreign language in Indonesian schools. Pareira indicated that French could be offered as an elective option for schools that possess the necessary resources, alongside other languages like Mandarin or Japanese. He stressed that the primary focus should remain on strengthening English and Indonesian language education.

Prabowo's initial statement during his visit to the Elysée Palace in Paris suggested that the instruction to teach French at all levels was based on "the development of the world going forward." Pareira, however, interpreted the President's instruction as potentially diplomatic language, suggesting that while French can be a valuable optional subject, it should not overshadow the importance of English and Bahasa Indonesia in the national curriculum.

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