Indonesian Lawmakers, Teachers Question Prabowo's French Language Plan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto wants schools in the homeland to learn French. Prabowo conveyed this instruction during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the lyse Palace in Paris, France.

The Chair of the Gerindra Party stated that the relationship between Indonesia and France is currently at its best and he aims to enhance cooperation in the field of education.

"I have instructed that all levels of Indonesian schools must learn French, considering the future global developments," said Prabowo on Thursday evening, May 28, 2026, as broadcasted via the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.

Previously, Prabowo also instructed that Portuguese be taught in Indonesian schools. This instruction was given during a bilateral meeting with President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on October 23, 2025. Prabowo then mentioned that Portuguese is a priority in teaching foreign languages in Indonesian education as part of strengthening ties with Brazil.

What is the response of the People's Consultative Assembly (DPR) and teacher organizations to Prabowo's instruction to learn French?

DPR Commission X Asks the Government to Reevaluate

Vice Chair of House of Representatives (DPR) Commission X, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, requested that the Ministry of Education and Culture explain the plan to implement the teaching of French in schools. The plan is said to be an instruction from President Prabowo Subianto.

Lalu Hadrian believes that the government should not hastily propose policies without considering the readiness of the national education system. "Previously, there was also the issue of Portuguese, but until now, there has been no visible follow-up in terms of a roadmap, regulations, or implementation readiness," said the politician from the National Awakening Party in a written statement on Friday, May 29, 2026.

According to Lalu Hadrian, every educational policy must be based on national needs, ensuring the readiness of educators, curriculum, and real benefits for the students.

He cautioned that President Prabowo's statement before President Emmanuel Macron should not only be part of an international diplomatic agenda. "We must ensure that the public does not view this policy solely as part of an international diplomatic agenda without thorough educational planning," said Lalu.

In an upcoming working meeting with the Ministry of Education and Culture, DPR Commission X will request a comprehensive explanation of the plan within the national education policy. If the readiness for implementation is inadequate, Lalu Hadrian urges for the teaching of French to be carried out gradually rather than simultaneously in all schools.

P2G Rejects the Requirement for Schools to Learn French

The Association of Education and Teachers (P2G) rejects President Prabowo Subianto's instruction for schools in Indonesia to learn the French language. P2G National Coordinator Satriwan Salim believes that the instruction is unclear and unplanned, tending to appear merely as diplomatic pleasantries.

"Out of the blue, the President orders all schools in all categories to teach French to the students. This has left both teachers and students startled and puzzled," said Satriwan in a written statement on Sunday, May 30, 2026.

He then highlighted Prabowo's penchant for using language subjects in schools as a diplomatic tool. Last year, for instance, Prabowo also instructed schools to study Portuguese during the state visit of President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva.

Seeing this, Satriwan stated that it would not be surprising if Prabowo also includes Japanese, Mandarin, and Dutch in the curriculum following bilateral meetings with these countries. "Managing education cannot be taken lightly," he said.

Satriwan cautioned that this policy has the potential to add chaos to Indonesia's education ecosystem. He explained that obligating the teaching of French at all school levels means adding a new curriculum burden for students, considering that the national curriculum structure is still relatively based on subjects.

Furthermore, the instruction is also deemed to potentially burden the national need for teachers. Currently, the shortage of teachers in public schools is still high, at around 374,000. Assuming there are two French and Portuguese teachers per school out of a total of approximately 240,000 elementary to high schools, a total of 480,000 foreign language teachers would be required.

The Ministry of Education and Culture Will Review Prabowo's Directive

The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikdasmen) stated that it will review President Prabowo Subianto's instruction to teach the French language in schools in Indonesia.

Vice Minister of Education and Culture Atip Latipulhayat said they will follow up on the directive. "We will study and follow up on the President's directive," he said when contacted on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Dede Leni Mardianti and Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.

Read: Prabowo: Indonesian Schools Should Teach French at All Levels

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