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 overseen by the Ministry of student education, Culture, Research, and Technology, along with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which supervises religious schools. The system has undergone numerous reforms over the decades, shaped by political change, economic development, and global trends. Understanding how it works is essential for anyone interested in Southeast Asia's largest economy and its future.

The Indonesian school system consists of four principal levels. Children typically begin six years of elementary school, known as Sekolah Dasar or SD, at around age seven. After that is three years of junior high school, called Sekolah Menengah Pertama or SMP. Together, these nine years constitute compulsory education, which the government has committed to funding for all citizens.