System approach for transformation: the case of Indonesia

Group Submission Type: Formal Panel Session

Proposal

Education system transformation and reform governance play a crucial role in improving the quality of education in countries worldwide. The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has fostered a holistic model to facilitate education system transformation through local education groups (LEGs). These LEGs are inclusive of all major stakeholders in the education system including government, development partners, research institutions, private foundations, teachers’ associations, and civil society organizations. They are instrumental in driving change at the national, regional, and local levels, ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement and effective implementation of reforms.
Indonesia, as the fourth largest education system globally, has been unwavering in its efforts to enhance the quality of its education system. With a dedicated allocation of 20% of its budget towards education and aggressive policy reforms, such as doubling teacher salaries, the country has demonstrated its commitment to progress. However, these efforts, although substantial, have not yielded the desired results due to the lack of a systemic approach. Recently, Indonesia has joined the global partnership for education and embarked on a new reform initiative aimed at transforming its education sector holistically, including establishing an inclusive local education group to support the reform. The reform provides specific attention given to curriculum development, teacher training, student assessments, and data-driven approaches. This abstract introduces a panel discussion that focuses on the evidence and governance processes involved in this significant education reform in Indonesia.
The panel aims to delve into the governance process, shedding light on the roles of relevant stakeholders and grassroots movements in shaping and driving the reform agenda. Furthermore, it will highlight the structured policy dialogues that promote participatory and inclusive decision-making. Additionally, the panel will explore the critical aspect of translating the education reform into action at the school level within Indonesia's decentralized context. This will involve a comprehensive examination of the mechanisms and strategies employed to ensure successful implementation across diverse provinces, districts, and schools, taking into account Indonesia's motto of "unity in diversity." The panel will also look at education financing at different levels of the decentralized system in the country and explore determinants and factors impacting education financing decisions.
Through analyzing the challenges, successes, and lessons learned, the panel will shed light on how the reform initiatives can be adapted to meet the unique needs and circumstances of provinces, districts, and schools within the decentralized educational system of Indonesia. In addition to governance and implementation aspects, the panel will emphasize the central role of evidence in underpinning the reform process. It will showcase the use of data, research, and evaluation to establish a feedback loop that informs continuous improvement in the implementation of the reform.
By convening this panel and presenting the case of Indonesia, the discussion aims to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, dialogue, and critical analysis of the evidence and governance processes associated with a major education reform. The insights shared by the panelists will contribute to a deeper understanding of the reform's management at the national level, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and its translation at the school level within a decentralized context. Ultimately, the goal is to facilitate a more informed and collaborative approach towards sustained and impactful education reform in Indonesia.

Sub Unit

• General Pool

Chair

• Najelaa Quraish Shihab, Pusat Studi Pendidikan dan Kebijakan

Individual Presentations

• Evidence-based Transformation: The Ministry of Education's Journey in Reforming Indonesia's Education System - Anindito Aditomo, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology

• Inclusive governance and participation in education policy reform process - nisa felicia, PSPK; Najelaa Quraish Shihab, Pusat Studi Pendidikan dan Kebijakan

• Driving education Reform through Data and Advocacy: insights from the implementation of Education report card in Indonesia - Santoso Hadisucipto, Article 33 Indonesia

• Education budget in COVID times – The Case of Indonesia Subnational Governments - javier luque, Global Partnership for Education

Discussant

• Mohamed Yassine, Global Partnership for Education