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Homeschooling is legal in Indonesia and has been formally recognised since 2003. The Sisdiknas Law (UU No. 20/2003) classifies home education as a form of informal education (pendidikan informal) and gives parents the legal right to educate their children at home. Homeschooled students can earn certificates equivalent to formal school diplomas through the national Paket equivalency exams. This guide covers the legal framework, how to get started, the Paket exam system, international curriculum options and costs.
Yes. Indonesia has one of the clearest legal frameworks for homeschooling in Southeast Asia. The Sisdiknas Law (UU No. 20/2003 on the National Education System) recognises three pathways to education: formal (sekolah), non-formal (kursus, pendidikan kesetaraan), and informal (pendidikan oleh keluarga dan lingkungan). Homeschooling falls under the informal pathway.
Article 27 of the Sisdiknas Law is the key provision. It states that informal education activities conducted by families take the form of independent learning, and that the outcomes of informal education are recognised as equivalent to formal and non-formal education once the learner passes an examination meeting national education standards.
The Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 129 of 2014 specifically governs the implementation of homeschooling (Sekolah Rumah). It defines three recognised forms of homeschooling in Indonesia: Tunggal (single family), Majemuk (multiple families learning together), and Komunitas (community-based, typically with a shared learning centre). The regulation confirms that diplomas earned by homeschooling students are equivalent to those issued by formal schools and that students can transfer between formal, non-formal and informal pathways.
Homeschooled students earn recognised certificates by sitting the Paket equivalency examinations administered through non-formal education units. Paket A is equivalent to the SD (elementary school) diploma, Paket B is equivalent to the SMP (junior high school) diploma, and Paket C is equivalent to the SMA (senior high school) diploma. These certificates are accepted by Indonesian universities and employers on the same basis as formal school diplomas.
Sisdiknas revision underway. The Indonesian parliament (DPR) is currently revising the Sisdiknas Law with a proposal to extend compulsory education from the current 9 years to 13 years (from kindergarten through senior high school). The government has stated that the revised law will continue to recognise homeschooling and aims to simplify the equivalency process. As of early 2026, the revised law has not yet been enacted.
Decide whether you will follow the national Indonesian curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka) leading to Paket exams, an international curriculum like Cambridge* International GCSEs and A-Levels or Pearson Edexcel, the US K-12 pathway, or a combination. If you enrol with an online school like CambriLearn, the school provides the curriculum, teaching, materials and assessment.
The 2007 Department of Education manual asks homeschooling families to register with the local education office (Dinas Pendidikan). In practice, registration is not enforced and many families homeschool without registering. However, registration can simplify the process when your child sits Paket exams or transfers to a formal school. If you are following an international curriculum through an accredited provider, the school's own accreditation serves as the formal credential.
A quiet workspace and a reliable internet connection if using an online provider. Indonesia has strong broadband coverage in Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Bandung and other major cities. Satellite internet options are improving for families in more remote areas. CambriLearn's live lessons are timetabled with recorded sessions available for catch-up across time zones.
If following the national curriculum, register your child for Paket exams when the time comes (typically at Paket B for junior high and Paket C for senior high equivalency). If following an international curriculum, your child sits Cambridge* or Edexcel exams at registered centres in Indonesia, or earns a US diploma through CambriLearn's Cognia-accredited programme.
Indonesian and expat families can choose between the national curriculum and international pathways. The qualification your child earns determines which universities will recognise it.
| Curriculum | Qualification | Indonesian University Admission | International Recognition | Via CambriLearn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National (Kurikulum Merdeka) | Paket A/B/C equivalency | Full admission via SNPMB / UTBK | Indonesia only | No |
| Cambridge Int.* | Int. GCSE, AS, A-Level | Accepted by leading Indonesian universities | 160+ countries | Yes, private candidate exams |
| Pearson Edexcel | Int. GCSE, Int. A-Level | Accepted by leading Indonesian universities | 80+ countries | Yes, accredited centre |
| US K-12 | US High School Diploma | Accepted with credential evaluation | US, NCAA approved | Yes, Cognia accredited |
Cambridge is the dominant international curriculum in Indonesia. Hundreds of Cambridge-affiliated schools operate across Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Bandung and other cities. There is an extensive network of registered Cambridge exam centres. Homeschooled students sit Cambridge* examinations as private candidates. CambriLearn prepares students for these exams and holds accredited centre status for Pearson Edexcel.
For expat families. Many expatriate families in Jakarta and Bali use an international online school to maintain curriculum continuity with their home country. International school fees in Jakarta run between IDR 100 million and IDR 400 million+ per year. An accredited online school delivers the same curricula and qualifications at a fraction of the cost.
