December 23, 2025 | 07:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR), Lalu Adrian Irfani, highlighted low scores in mathematics and English in the 2025 Academic Ability Test (TKA). Data from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education shows that national achievement in both subjects is a serious concern.
"The TKA 2025 results should serve as a wake-up call and a call for a total evaluation of our education system, specifically for Indonesian, English, and mathematics," said the National Awakening Party politician in a statement on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
The legislator from West Nusa Tenggara emphasized that the evaluation must be objective and broad. This includes looking at both the performance of teachers and the students. He argued that teaching quality is the main factor in improving student achievement. "If the weakness lies with the teachers, then their quality must be significantly improved," he said.
However, if the cause of the low scores is the students' own ability, he urged the government to provide better support systems. Commission X, which oversees education, will push the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to use these results to create new policies. He stated that there must be changes to the curriculum, teaching methods, and teacher training.
"The TKA results must not just end as a report. We need concrete steps to truly enhance the quality of national education," he added.
The high school TKA took place from November 3 to 6, 2025, with makeup sessions held later that month. Results showed the average high school scores were 57.39 for Indonesian, 37.23 for mathematics, and 26.71 for English. For vocational schools (SMK), the scores were 53.62 for Indonesian, 34.74 for mathematics, and 22.55 for English. The maximum possible score was 100.
"The low scores are likely because the test questions focused more on reasoning and narrative," said Rahmawati, Head of the Assessment Center for the Ministry.
During a media briefing on Monday, December 22, 2025, she explained that the math questions were complex. Students had to link data with specific clues to find answers. "There are many missing clues in these simple sentences," she said. Consequently, most students missed the conditions hidden within the questions.
Rahmawati hoped the 2025 results would lead the ministry to make improvements. The ministry wants schools to share teaching methods and learning techniques to help raise scores in the future.
Meanwhile, the Education and Teacher Association (P2G) has a different view. Iman Zanatul Haeri, Head of Advocacy at P2G, urged the ministry to test the TKA questions publicly to evaluate their quality.
P2G reported that interviews with teachers and students suggested some questions were not part of the current curriculum. They want a public review of the exam content. "Let us dissect the TKA questions together. We need to see if they actually match the learning outcomes of the curriculum," Iman said.
Dinda Shabrina and Andi Adam Faturahman contributed to this report
Read: Religion Ministry Allocates Rp26 Billion to Restore Educational Facilities in Sumatra
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
House Intervention in the Munir Murder Case
1 hari lalu
The House of Representatives intervenes in the Munir murder case investigation.
Indonesia Prioritizes Home Renovation for the Poor in 2026
2 hari lalu
The Indonesian Ministry of Housing has allocated a budget for a home renovation program for the next year.
Prabowo Inaugurates Mass Contract for 50,030 Subsidized Housing Units
3 hari lalu
Prabowo said that the subsidized housing program was initiated during the previous presidential term and has continued to be expanded since then.
Prabowo Says Gov't Is Planning Replacement Housing for Sumatra Flood Victims
10 hari lalu
"Plans are already in place to replace all the damaged homes," Prabowo said.
Indonesia Moves to Prepare 21 Relocation Sites for Sumatra Floods Survivors
11 hari lalu
Approximately 112 thousand houses are damaged due to the Sumatra floods. The recovery process will involve private sectors.
IKN Authority Launches Auction for Rp5.5 Trillion Civil Servant Housing Projects
40 hari lalu
IKN Authority begins an auction to procure a Business Entity Executor for two civil servant housing projects worth Rp5.5 trillion.
House Member Demands Disclosure of Mastermind Responsible for Burning Judge Khamozaro's House
44 hari lalu
House member urges the police to thoroughly investigate the arson of the house belonging to Medan District Court judge Khamozaro Waruwu
Indonesia Has 26.9 Million Uninhabitable Houses, Government Explains
55 hari lalu
As a result, the government is helping to renovate 45,000 houses this year.
Minister: Nearly 10 Million Indonesian Families Do Not Yet Own a Home
22 Oktober 2025
According to the latest data, there are around 9.9 million families in Indonesia do not yet own a house.
Prabowo Says Indonesia's 3 Million-House Target Is Ambitious, but Achievable
29 September 2025
Prabowo acknowledged that building 3 million houses is ambitious but stressed that high targets are achievable with ministerial cooperation.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4548967/original/094336900_1692782124-tanaphong-toochinda-FEhFnQdLYyM-unsplash.jpg)
