"This initiative is expected to generate excellent human resources that can compete with talents from other countries," he remarked at a press conference during the program’s introduction at M.H. Thamrin Top High School in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The minister highlighted that Garuda School is one of the quick-win programs of President Prabowo Subianto, designed to help Indonesian students become competent researchers and industrial practitioners.
He noted that the official introduction of the national program aimed to inform the public that the government had opened 12 Garuda Schools transformed from existing schools, with four brand-new schools expected to begin operations in the 2026–2027 academic year.
Yuliarto expressed hope that the schools operating under the quick-win initiative would help more Indonesian students secure places at top global universities.
The government has incorporated 12 existing high-quality schools across several regions into the Garuda School program, including Public High School (SMAN) 10 of Banda Aceh, Del Private Top School of Toba, Top Public Islamic High School (MAN IC) of Ogan Komering Ilir, and M.H. Thamrin High School.
The program also involves Cahaya Rancamaya High School of Bogor, Pradita Dirgantara High School of Boyolali, Taruna Nusantara High School of Magelang, Banua High School of Banjarbaru, Siwalima SMAN of Ambon, SMAN 10 of Samarinda, MAN IC of Gorontalo, and Averos High School of Sorong.
In addition, four new Garuda Schools will be established in East Belitung, Bangka Belitung Islands; South Timor Tengah, East Nusa Tenggara; Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi; and Bulungan, North Kalimantan. These schools are targeted to commence activities in the next academic year.
By joining the Garuda School program, high schools are expected to emphasize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to better prepare students for admission to top universities.
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Translator: Sean F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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