By 2029, the government targets 80 schools to join the Garuda School Transformation initiative and plans to build 20 new Garuda Schools in priority regions.
The government officially launched Sekolah Garuda (Garuda Schools), a flagship strategic education program, simultaneously on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at 16 locations across Indonesia. The Garuda Schools program is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Quick Win Program (PHTC) and represents a concrete step toward ensuring equitable access to quality education nationwide.
Garuda Schools are designed to prepare Indonesia’s brightest students from all regions to enter the world’s leading universities.
“Garuda Schools are the culmination of our educational transformation efforts,” said Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Stella Christie, in Jakarta on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
According to Stella, the initiative embodies President Prabowo’s grand vision of developing a generation of excellence in science and technology, ready to lead Indonesia toward its Golden Generation 2045.
“Garuda Schools expand inclusive access to top-tier education, cultivating science and technology talent from exceptional children across the archipelago,” she said.
Garuda Schools are expected not only to produce globally competitive and academically outstanding students but also to foster leadership, character, and a strong sense of service to the nation.
The nationwide launch includes 12 Garuda School Transformation sites and four new Garuda School construction sites.
The twelve transformation sites include:
SMAN 10 Fajar Harapan (Aceh) High School, SMA Unggul Del (North Sumatra) High School, MAN Insan Cendekia Ogan Komering Ilir (South Sumatra) State Islamic High School, SMAN Unggulan MH Thamrin (Jakarta) High School, SMA Cahaya Rancamaya (West Java) High School, SMA Taruna Nusantara (Central Java) High School, SMA Pradita Dirgantara (Central Java) High School, SMAN 10 Samarinda (East Kalimantan) High School, SMAN Banua BBS (South Kalimantan) High School, MAN Insan Cendekia Gorontalo (Gorontalo) State Islamic High School, SMAN Siwalima Ambon (Maluku) High School, and SMA Averos Sorong (Southwest Papua) High School.
Meanwhile, the four new construction sites are located in East Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands), South Central Timor (East Nusa Tenggara), South Konawe (Southeast Sulawesi), and Bulungan (North Kalimantan).
By 2029, the government aims to expand the initiative to 80 schools and construct 20 new Garuda Schools in prioritized regions.
Stella explained that Garuda Schools are founded on three core pillars:
Firstly, Equitable Access: ensuring equal opportunities for all Indonesian children to excel, regardless of geography.
Secondly, Leadership Incubation: instilling strong character and national values in future leaders.
Thirdly, Achievement and Service Empowerment: nurturing students who excel academically while upholding a spirit of service to society.
“Beyond academic excellence, Garuda School students are expected to stay committed to serving and contributing meaningfully to their communities,” Stella emphasized.
The establishment of Garuda Schools forms a crucial part of Indonesia’s strategy to strengthen its human capital.
According to the Human Capital Index, Indonesian students currently achieve only 54 percent of their full potential. To address this, the government is promoting an education system designed to maximize national talent and competitiveness.
The Garuda Schools program also builds on the success of the Beasiswa Indonesia Maju (Advanced Indonesia Scholarship), which enabled 143 Indonesian students to study at 100 of the world’s top universities in 2024.
With its transformative and inclusive model, Garuda Schools are set to become national centers of excellence in science and technology, nurturing young talent from every corner of the country.
“Garuda Schools prove that there are no limits to the dreams of Indonesian children,” Stella concluded.
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