Indonesia sets out plans to revise school promotion from 2027/28

In brief: Families choosing a school in Bali have a reason to look closely at its promotion and learning-support policies. Indonesia is preparing a revised approach, while the existing assessment framework already allows decisions about whether pupils move up.

Assessment already matters; a revised framework is planned

The phrase “automatic promotion” can be misleading without the existing rules. In a 9 October interview with detikEdu, education policy agency head Toni Toharudin said that arrangements for moving pupils up or having them repeat a year remained in force. His ministry was working on clearer and more consistent application.

That account fits the ministry's published explanation of Regulation No. 21/2022 on Education Assessment Standards: decisions draw on a pupil's record across an entire school year, including subjects, extracurricular activities and other achievements.

On 17 October 2026, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti outlined plans to revise promotion from the 2027/28 school year, ANTARA reported. The regulation and school guidance are being drafted, with academic progress and character development among the proposed considerations.

The ministry's Riau Islands quality-assurance office, BPMP, had described the proposal on 8 October as requiring research and expert input. The timetable remains a policy intention.

Ask a Bali school how it reaches a promotion decision

Before enrolling, ask the school for its written promotion policy and an explanation of how it is used. The discussion should cover notification of learning difficulties, access to extra help and who makes the decision at the end of the year. It is a way to assess the support your child would receive now.

Families considering an international school or a private educational programme will also need confirmation of how the eventual regulation applies. The announcement does not specify coverage or detailed assessment criteria, so the school's response will need to be checked against the final text.