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Education In Indonesia





CURRENT STRUCTURE


Early childhood

From birth until the age of 5, Indonesian children do not generally have access to formal education. From the age of 5 to 6 or 7, they attend kindergarten ''(Taman Kanak-kanak)''.


Primary School

Children generally move into Primary School (''Sekolah Dasar'') at the age of 6 or 7. They attend Primary school for 6 years, from class 1 to class 6. In order to graduate from Primary School, all children must pass national exams. After graduation from primary school, students may continue their education at High School (''Sekolah Menengah'').

Primary Schools are generally known by the acronym ''SD''.


Secondary Education

High schooling is generally divided into two schools - Middle School (''Sekolah Menengah Pertama'' or ''Sekolah Lanjutan Tingkat Pertama'') and High School or College (''Sekolah Menengah Umum'' or ''Sekolah Lanjutan Tingkat Atas'')


Middle School

Students generally attend Middle School for three years from the age of 13 - 15. After graduation, students may move on to High School or College, or cease formal education.

Middle Schools are generally known by the acronym ''SMP'' or ''SLTP''


High School or College

High School or College comprises three years of schooling, from the age of 16 to 18. After graduation, students may enter the workforce, or continue with higher education.

High Schools or Colleges are generally known by their acronyms ''SMA'' or ''SLTA''


Higher Education


University

After graduation from High school or college, students may attend a university.


HISTORY

The Dutch introduced a system of formal education for the local population of Indonesia, although this was restricted to certain privileged children. The system they introduced was roughly similar to the current strucure, with the following levels:
  • ELS (''Dutch: Europeesche Lagere School'') - Primary School

  • MULO (''Dutch: Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs'') - Middle School

  • AMS (''Dutch: Algeme(e)ne Middelbare School'') - High School or College


By the 1930s, the Dutch had introduced limited formal education to nearly every province of the Dutch East Indies .


SEE ALSO