From Access to Quality: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Indonesia’s 9-Year Compulsory Education Law in Rural Areas

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Indonesia’s 9-year compulsory education law, with a specific focus on its impact in rural areas. While the law aims to provide universal access to basic education, challenges in terms of quality and retention remain, particularly in remote and underserved regions. The study investigates the barriers to education faced by children in rural areas, including socio-economic factors, infrastructure deficits, and teacher shortages. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data—such as government reports, interviews with local educators, and surveys of rural families—the paper examines the extent to which the law has translated into meaningful educational outcomes. The research highlights significant regional disparities in educational access and quality, where some rural schools struggle with inadequate resources and lack of qualified teachers. The paper finds that while enrollment rates have improved, the law’s success in providing high-quality education is uneven across the country. It concludes by recommending a more targeted approach to policy implementation, emphasizing investment in rural education infrastructure, teacher training, and community engagement to improve both access and educational quality in these areas.