Ministry of National Education of Indonesia is responsible to provide education to all Indonesian people. Earlier, education was the responsibility of Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia. In Indonesia, every citizen must have to receive nine years of compulsory education, i.e. six years of elementary education and three years of middle school.

Children attend Kindergarten school at the age of 5. The Kindergarten education prepares kids to join primary level education. The Kindergarten education is not compulsory.  There are several thousands kindergarten schools in Indonesia; these schools are mainly operated by private education providers.  The kindergarten years are usually divided into "Class A" and "Class B". Students spend one year in each class.

Children of age 7 to 12 years attend elementary schools i.e. Sekolah Dasar (SD).  The elementary schooling is compulsory for all Indonesian children.  Government mainly operates elementary schools in Indonesia. Like education system in United States and Australia students in Indonesia must study for six years to complete this level of education. An accelerated learning program is offered through some schools, where students who perform well can finish elementary school in five years.

Middle school, generally known as Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) is part of primary education in Indonesia. Students of age 13 to 15 years attend middle schools. The duration of education at this level is three years. After successful completion of middle school education students may move onto High School or College, or cease formal education. Both public and private schools are available at this level in almost equal number.

High school education in Indonesia is not compulsory. Perhaps this is the reason there are only few hundred high schools in Indonesia. Also the number of pupil willing to join high school is comparatively low. Students who successfully complete high school may attend university level education.

Indonesia joined UNESCO on May 27, 1950. The country is covered by the UNESCO Office Jakarta, a cluster office that also serves as the Regional Bureau for Science.

Lets see what UNESCO says about Education and Literacy in Indonesia,Click Here