The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is currently reviewing fundamental changes to the language curriculum in schools. The Minister proposed that the subject name “Indonesian Language” be changed to “Indonesian Language and Literature”.

This proposal explicitly aims to ensure that literature is taught as a mandatory component to students, not just focusing on grammar.

“To ensure that literature is taught, perhaps it could be proposed that the subject name later be Indonesian Language and Literature,” the Minister stated.

The discourse on changing the subject name will likely be regulated and legitimized in the revision of the Law Number 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System. However, the Minister acknowledged that this proposal has not yet been discussed in depth internally.

Additional Review: Expansion of Foreign Languages

In addition to Indonesian Language and Literature, the Ministry is also reviewing the expansion of foreign language teaching in schools, beyond English. Currently, several foreign languages already being taught include Arabic, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese.

The Minister also outlined the Ministry’s concrete steps for English:

  • Year 2026: English teacher training begins.

  • Year 2027: English teaching will begin in Grade 3 of Elementary School.

Nomenclature Debate Across Ministerial Periods

The proposal to emphasize literature through a nomenclature change was a subject of debate in 2016. At that time, a literary figure proposed changing the name to “Literature”.

The Minister of Education and Culture for the 2016 period responded to the proposal with a different view.

The Minister’s Opinion: What is important is the content of the subject, not its nomenclature.

The Minister agreed that literary content needs to be strengthened within the Indonesian Language subject to build a language character closely tied to culture. They argued that the Indonesian Language subject automatically already includes literature, grammar, and vocabulary.

Indonesian Language

The Indonesian language, known as Bahasa Indonesia, was declared the official national language at the country’s independence in 1945 to unify its diverse population. It is a standardized form of Malay, which had served for centuries as a lingua franca for trade throughout the archipelago. Today, it is the language of government, education, and national media, coexisting with hundreds of regional languages.

Indonesian Language and Literature

The Indonesian language, known as Bahasa Indonesia, was declared the official national language in 1928 during the Youth Pledge (Sumpah Pemuda) to unify the diverse archipelago. Its modern literature began to flourish in the early 20th century, evolving from classical Malay and rich oral traditions into a dynamic body of work that explores national identity and social issues. This institution of language and literature is a cornerstone of modern Indonesian culture and a powerful symbol of national unity.

Law Number 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System

This is not a physical place or cultural site, but a foundational piece of Indonesian legislation. Enacted in 2003, it replaced the previous education law to reform and standardize the national education system. The law is significant for making basic education compulsory and free, and for decentralizing the management of education across the country.

Arabic

“Arabic” refers to the language and cultural heritage of the Arab world, not a specific place. Historically, it originated in the Arabian Peninsula and spread across the Middle East and North Africa with the expansion of Islam in the 7th century. It serves as a unifying force for the diverse Arab nations and is the liturgical language of Islam, with Classical Arabic preserved in the Quran.

French

“French” is not a specific place but refers to the culture, language, and people of France. Historically, France has been a major European center of art, philosophy, and science since the Middle Ages, with a rich heritage from the Gauls, the Roman Empire, and the Frankish kingdoms. Its cultural influence is global, embodied by landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, its culinary traditions, and its history of revolutions and empires.

Mandarin

“Mandarin” is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather refers to the group of Northern Chinese dialects that form the basis of Standard Chinese. Historically, it originated from the speech of the imperial court in Beijing and became the official language of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is the official language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore, serving as a unifying linguistic tool for the diverse Chinese-speaking world.

Japanese

“Japanese” refers to the culture and people of Japan, an island nation in East Asia with a history spanning thousands of years. Its cultural heritage is marked by ancient traditions like Shinto and Buddhism, the feudal era of the samurai, and a rapid modernization process beginning in the late 19th century. This unique blend of deeply rooted tradition and cutting-edge innovation defines its distinct identity in art, cuisine, and technology.

Korean

“Korean” culture is deeply rooted in a 5,000-year history on the Korean Peninsula, shaped by dynasties like Silla, Goryeo, and Joseon. It is renowned for its unique traditions, including hanbok (traditional clothing), hanok (traditional architecture), and a culinary heritage centered on kimchi and banchan.