Jakarta, Sept. 13 -- The Indonesian government is preparing to open the first Garuda Schools (Sekolah Garuda) in the next academic year as part of a flagship program to develop a new generation of highly skilled, globally competitive graduates in science and technology.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie said on Saturday that four provinces - Bangka Belitung, East Nusa Tenggara, North Kalimantan, and Southeast Sulawesi - have been prioritized for completion next year. Construction in other regions will continue in a second phase, with a target completion date in 2027.

In his state address on August 15, President Prabowo Subianto stressed that the program includes 20 new schools and 80 transforma...