Education in Indonesia is one of the largest and most complex systems in the world, serving tens of millions of students across an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands. It is managed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, along with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which supervises religious schools. The framework has experienced numerous reforms over the decades, shaped by political change, economic development, and global trends. Grasping its structure is essential for anyone interested in Southeast Asia's largest economy and its future.

Formal education in Indonesia is divided into four main stages. Young learners usually start six years of elementary school, known as Sekolah Dasar or SD, go here at around age seven. After that is three years of junior high school, called Sekolah Menengah Pertama or SMP.