Language-in-education policy

This chapter discusses major issues concerning language-in-education policy in Indonesia. It deals with an overview of the Indonesian system of education management. Language-in-education policy was originally conceptualised as acquisition planning. Language-in-education policy is often the sole language policy activity implemented by a polity, being most visible and most closely associated with goals for language and literacy learning in various education sectors. Like many other countries around the world, Indonesia’s education system is three-tiered, spanning basic education, secondary education and higher education. The New Order promoted Indonesian by making it a compulsory subject at three levels of education, further cementing its place in Indonesia’s superglossia. One of the main purposes of education is the acquisition of literacy skills that enable learners to access and use information, develop intellectual skills, express themselves through the medium of language and better understand themselves and their social and cultural environment. Decentralisation of education exerts minimal impact when low educational attainment conspires with poor management.