Push to lessen burden of education clashes with harsh budgeting realities
The plan to make education free from primary school through university would cost close to 10% of total government expenditure. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri)
TOMOYOSHI OSHIKIRI
October 25, 2026 17:05 JST
JAKARTA -- A plan to make public education free through university in Indonesia has raised concerns that the necessary funding -- nearly 10% of government spending -- would become yet another source of fiscal strain following the rollout of free school meals and other costly programs.