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View all search resultsPlan to introduce French lessons draws support, doubt
Some parents believe the extra French lesson in school may help improve their children’s competitiveness in the global market, but educators have raised concerns whether the country’s education system is ready to introduce another foreign language in the curriculum.
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Schoolchildren pose with small Indonesian and French flags on May 28, 2025, while waiting to greet a motorcade carrying French President Emmanuel Macron at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Jakarta during his state visit to Indonesia. (Courtesy of Presidential Secretariat/-)
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resident Prabowo Subianto’s push to introduce French lessons in Indonesian schools was welcomed by some parents but drew criticism from education watchdogs who questioned the readiness to expand foreign language education amid persisting issues in the education sector.
Anna, a mother of a 7-year-old in Depok, West Java, supported the plan as she sees any ability to speak foreign languages as an “intangible asset”, although questioned why French was chosen over other languages.
But whatever language is taught, “learning an additional language beyond English is better than learning none at all,” the 30-year-old told The Jakarta Post on May 5. “Who knows, it may help improve Indonesians’ competitiveness in a globalized world.”
Anna also saw the language lessons as a gateway for better opportunities in the European country: “It would be even better if the language lessons were accompanied with special programs preparing Indonesians to study or work there.”
The plan was also welcomed by Arief Fadhillah, a teacher at a private school in East Jakarta, who says introducing French in schools would not only broaden students’ skills in foreign language, but also potentially support stronger bilateral ties between Indonesia and France.
But he raised doubts about whether schools would be adequately prepared to provide qualified teachers for foreign language lessons beyond English.
“French teachers are limited,” Arief said on May 5. “It may be more realistic to offer French as an elective subject, depending on each school’s capacity, both in public and private schools.”
