Makassar, South Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is currently assessing the proposed inclusion of Portuguese language classes in the national curriculum, Deputy Minister Fajar Rizal Ul Haq confirmed on Tuesday.The evaluation process includes input from the House of Representatives, particularly Commission X, which oversees education policy.
“For the Portuguese language (classes), its assessment and evaluation is ongoing, and we also hear inputs from the House of Representatives (DPR),” Haq said.
A preliminary curriculum has been drafted, and the ministry is considering whether Portuguese will be offered as a compulsory or elective subject.
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Haq emphasized the strategic value of Portuguese as a global bridge language, especially in diplomacy and trade.
He also highlighted Indonesia’s historical and cultural ties with Portuguese-speaking countries, such as Portugal and Brazil, and pointed to linguistic influences in regions like East Nusa Tenggara.
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The initiative follows President Prabowo Subianto’s announcement during a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva last October, where he directed education ministers to introduce Portuguese language instruction in schools and universities.
The move aims to deepen cultural and economic ties between Indonesia and Brazil.