AI, coding to be elective rather than mandatory subjects : Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti confirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) and coding will be offered as optional subjects rather than compulsory in schools.

The minister made the statement while delivering his speech at an event at Pamulang University, South Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday.

He explained that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is still reviewing the subjects, which, for the initial stage, will be implemented starting from fourth grade in elementary schools.

"Therefore, not all schools have to implement it because not all schools are able to do it due to technology and other factors," he remarked.

He noted that the idea of offering those new subjects is not new, as several elementary schools in Indonesia had earlier taught AI and coding.

As the world continues to change and requires competencies in responding to future challenges, he underscored that strengthening technology skills must be started from an early age.

The minister expressed hope that the trial for the implementation can be started in the new academic year.

Earlier, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka called on the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to move forward with introducing AI and coding subjects in elementary and junior high schools.

"We need golden generations to achieve the Golden Indonesia (vision). We want more coding experts, AI experts, machine learning experts, and others," he highlighted at the Coordination Meeting on the Evaluation of Primary and Secondary Education Policies here on Monday (November 11).

On Tuesday, Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, in Jakarta, expressed support for the VP's wish to introduce coding as a subject in schools.

He assessed that offering coding as a school subject is a good idea that will help Indonesia catch up with other countries.