The Student Executive Board of Indonesia (BEM SI) is conducting a demonstration in Central Jakarta today, May 2, 2026, to commemorate National Education Day (Hardiknas). The protest is centered at the Arjuna Wijaya Horse Statue area.
Protesting the Darkness of Education
Organizers have labeled the movement with the hashtag #GelapGulitaPendidikanIndonesia, which translates to Darkness of Indonesian Education
. Through this campaign, BEM SI is highlighting persistent disparities within the education system and policies they claim have moved away from the interests of the people.
In a statement shared via social media, BEM SI asserted that Hardiknas is not just a ceremony
, but rather a moment of resistance, a moment to voice the truth
.
A Nine-Point Agenda for Reform
BEM SI has presented the government with nine specific demands aimed at systemic overhaul:
- Reform of education budget management, including the separation of public education funds from the bureaucracy and an end to excessive commercialization.
- A call for central and regional governments to treat education as a substantive priority rather than a formal budget formality.
- The demand for equal access to quality education in vulnerable, underdeveloped, and remote areas.
- Improvements to teacher welfare, a transparent resolution for honorary teacher status, equal teacher distribution, and recruitment system reform.
- The provision of adequate educational facilities and the rehabilitation of damaged schools nationwide.
- The implementation of long-term, data-driven, and consistent education policies.
- The promotion of contextual character education based on local wisdom and national values.
- Strict oversight and transparency regarding the utilization of the education budget.
- A revision of the National Education System (Sisdiknas) Law involving participation from civil society.
substantive priorityand
formal budget formalitysuggests a deep frustration with how funds are allocated on paper versus how they impact classrooms. The demand for civil society participation in revising the Sisdiknas Law indicates that students view the current legislative process as insufficiently inclusive.
Potential Developments
Following these demands, the government may face pressure to address the specific grievances regarding honorary teacher status and school infrastructure. There is a possibility that the administration could initiate discussions with civil society representatives to address the requested revisions to the National Education System Law.
given previous statements that Prabowo intends to produce major investments in education, the government’s response to these specific budget management demands could signal how those investments will be structured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the BEM SI demonstration taking place?
The protest is taking place at the Arjuna Wijaya Horse Statue area in Central Jakarta.
What is the primary theme of the protest?
The demonstration uses the hashtag #GelapGulitaPendidikanIndonesia (Darkness of Indonesian Education) to highlight education disparities and policies that students claim ignore the interests of the people.
What are the students demanding regarding the National Education System Law?
BEM SI is urging for a revision of the National Education System (Sisdiknas) Law through discussions that include the participation of civil society.
Do you believe that increasing budget transparency is the most critical step in solving education disparities?
