The National Education is based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. 

The National Education functions to develop the capability, character, and civilization of the nation for enhancing its intellectual capacity, and is aimed at developing learners' potentials so that they become persons imbued with human values who are faithful and pious to one and only God; who possess morals and noble character; who are wealthy, knowledgeable, competent, creative, independent; and as citizens, are democratic and responsible.

.: Educational streaming

Educational streaming consists of

1. formal education,
2. non-formal education, and
3. informal education.

Formal Education Streaming

Levels of education consist of

1. basic education,
2. secondary education, and
3. higher education.

Types of education include

1. general education,
2. vocational education,
3. academic education,
4. professional education,
5. vocational and technical education,
6. religious education, and
7. special education.

Basic Education

Basic education is the foundation for secondary education.

The Government and local governments guarantee the implementation of compulsory education for every citizen at the age of six, at least for basic education free of cost.

Basic education takes the form of

1. Primary schools, that is, Sekolah Dasar (SD) as well as Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI), or other schools of the same level; and
2. Junior secondary schools, that is, Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) as well as Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs), or other schools of the same level.

Secondary Education

Secondary education is the continuation of basic education.

Secondary education comprises

1. general secondary education, and
2. vocational secondary education.

Secondary education takes the form of

1. Senior general secondary schools, that is, Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA), as well as Madrasah Aliyah (MA), and
2. Senior vocational secondary schools, that is, Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) as well as Madrasah Aliyah Kejuruan (MAK), or other schools of the same level.

Higher Education

Higher education is a level of education after secondary education consisting of diploma, bachelor (sarjana), masters, and specialized postgraduate programmes, and doctorate programmes imparted by a higher education institution.

Higher education isntitutions can take the form of

1. academy,
2. polytechnic,
3. college for specialization (sekolah tinggi),
4. institute, or
5. university.

Higher education institutions shall provide education, research, and community services.

Higher education institutions can run academic, professional, and/or vocational and technical programmes.

Non-formal Education

Non-formal education is provided for community members who need education services which functions as a replacement, complement, and/or supplement to formal education in the frame of supporting life-long education.

Non-formal education is aimed at developing learners' potentials with emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge and functional skills and developing personality and professional attitudes.

Non-formal education comprises

1. life-skills education,
2. early childhood education,
3. youth education,
4. women empowerment education,
5. literacy education,
6. vocational training and internship,
7. equivalency programme, and
8. other kinds of education aimed at developing learners' ability.

A non-formal education unit consists of

1. training centers,
2. colleges,
3. study groups,
4. community learning centers,
5. majelis taklim, and
6. other education units of the similar type.

Training centers and colleges are provided for community members who are in need of knowledge, competencies, life-skills, and attitudes to develop their personality, professionalism, working ethics, entrepreneurship, and/or for further education.

The outcomes of the non-formal education programmes shall be recognized as being equal to the outcomes of formal education programmes after undergoing a process of assessment by an agency appointed by the Government or the local governments based on national education standards.

Informal Education

Informal education can be in the form of self-learning, provided by families and surroundings.

The outcomes of informal education shall be recognized as being equal to the outcomes of formal education and non-formal education after passing successfully in an assessment according to national education standards.

.: Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education is organized prior to basic education.

Early childhood education is provided through formal education, non-formal education, and/or informal education.

Early childhood education provided through formal education can take the form of

1. Taman Kanak-kanak (TK), that is, kindergarten,
2. Raudatul Athfal (RA), or other forms of formal education of the similar type.

Early childhood education provided through non-formal education can take the form of

1. Kelompok Bermain (KB), that is, play groups,
2. Taman Penitipan Anak (TPA), that is, child care centers, or other forms of non-formal education of the similar type.

Early childhood education provided through informal education can take the form of family education or education in the surroundings.

.: In-Service Education

In-service education functions to enhance the ability and skills in carrying out duties for government officials and for officials candidate in concerned government departments or non-departmental government institutions.

In-service education is provided through formal education and non-formal education.

.: Religious Education

Religious education is provided by Government and/or by any group of people belonging to the same religion in accordance with the law in force.

Religious education can be conducted through formal education, non-formal education, and informal education.

Religious education can take the form of

1. diniyah education,
2. pesantren,
3. pasraman,
4. pabhaja samanera, and other forms of the similar type.

.: Distance Education 

Distance education can be organized in all streams, levels, and types of education.

Distance education has the function to provide educational services to any group of people in the community who cannot attend 'face-to-face' courses or regular classes.

Distance education is organized in various forms, modes, and coverage supported by learning facilities and services, and an assessment system which ensures that the quality of graduates is in accordance with national education standards.

 

.: Special Education and Education with Special Services

Special education is provided for leaners who have difficulties in following the learning process because of physical, emotional, mental, and social deficiencies, and also for those with proven intelligence and especially gifted.

Education with special services is provided for learners in the remote and lessdeveloped areas, isolated areas, and/or for learners who are victims of natural disasters, suffer from social deficiencies, and those who are economically disadvantaged.

**Foreign citizens can become learner in an educational unit organized in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.


Terminologies Reference

Education 
Conscious and well-planned effort in creating a learning environment and learning process so that learners will be able to develop their full potential for acquiring spiritual and religious strengths, develop self-control, personality, intelligence, morals and noble  character and skills that one needs for him/herself, for the community, for the nation, and for the State.

National education 
Education based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, and is rooted in the religious values, national cultures of Indonesia, and one that is responsive to the needs of the ever-changing era.

National education system 
The overall components of education, which are interrelated in an integrated way in the pursuit of national education objectives.

Learners 
Members of any community wishing to develop their potential through a learning process, available in a particular stream, level and type of education.

Educational streaming 
A vehicle for learners to develop their own potential in an education process in line with the pre-determined educational objectives.

Levels of education 
The stages in education, which are determined by learners' progress, objectives to be achieved, and the capacity to be developed.

Types of education 
The clusters in education based on special features of the educational objectives of an educational unit.

A unit of education 
Unit of educational services providing formal, nonformal, and informal education at every level and type of education.

Formal education 
An educational stream, which is structured and has levels, encompassing basic education, secondary education, and higher education.

Non-formal education 
Education outside formal education, which can be implemented structurally, or in several levels.

Informal education 
Family education and education in surroundings.

Early childhood education 
Educational efforts since birth to six years of age by giving stimulus for children's physical and emotional growth and development to prepare them for further education.

Distance education 
Education provided in a situation in which learners are separated from their educators, and the teaching-learning processes are conducted by means of the utilization of information and communication technologies and other media.

National educational standards 
The minimal criteria about the education system in the whole jurisdiction of the Republic of Indonesia.

Compulsory education 
Minimal educational programme, which shall be attended by all Indonesian citizens fully supported by the Central Government and local government.

Citizens 
Indonesian citizens, either residing in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia or outside the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.

A community 
A group of Indonesian people who are not part of the Government and who have concerns for and who participate in educational areas.

Government 
The Central Government.

Local Governments 
The Provincial, District, or City Government.

Minister 
The minister who is responsible for national education.