“We hope the Garuda School program will produce scientists and scholars across various fields, especially in STEM. Students nurtured under this initiative are expected to qualify for top national and global universities,” Mu’ti said during the program’s introduction at M.H. Thamrin Public High School in Jakarta.
He emphasized that strengthening STEM education is key to Indonesia’s efforts to become a developed nation.
As one of President Prabowo Subianto’s quick-win programs, Garuda School is designed to produce graduates equipped with the skills and leadership qualities needed to drive national progress.
“Graduates from Garuda Schools are expected to have strong leadership abilities alongside academic excellence,” the minister said.
The program is part of the government’s broader plan to cultivate future leaders capable of contributing to social and economic development.
On Wednesday, the Garuda School program was officially launched in 16 locations nationwide, with 12 existing high-performing high schools designated as pioneers.
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These include SMAN 10 Banda Aceh, Del Private High School in Toba, MAN Insan Cendekia Ogan Komering Ilir, and M.H. Thamrin High School in Jakarta.
Other schools involved are Cahaya Rancamaya High School in Bogor, Pradita Dirgantara High School in Boyolali, Taruna Nusantara High School in Magelang, Banua High School in Banjarbaru, SMAN Siwalima in Ambon, SMAN 10 Samarinda, MAN Insan Cendekia Gorontalo, and Averos High School in Sorong.
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. They are expected to begin operations in the next academic year.
Designed as STEM-focused boarding schools at the senior high level, Garuda Schools will prepare students for top global universities under a dual funding model, with 80 percent receiving full government scholarships and 20 percent paying tuition fees.
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Translator: Sean Filo, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
