Jakarta, IDN Times – The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has issued a pivotal circular aimed at guiding regional governments on the assignment of non-Civil Servant (Non-ASN) teachers, often referred to as ‘honorary teachers,’ within government-run educational institutions for 2026. This significant announcement came from Nunuk Suryani, Director-General of Teachers and Education Personnel (GTK) at Kemendikdasmen, during a media briefing held in Central Jakarta on Monday, May 11, 2026. The circular, numbered 7 Year 2026, is intended to serve as a crucial reference for all local administrations regarding the continued engagement of these vital educators in public schools.
The issuance of this circular is rooted in a fundamental policy shift, specifically referencing Law Number 20 Year 2023 concerning Civil Servants (ASN). As Nunuk Suryani elaborated, Article 66 of this landmark legislation mandates that the regularization of non-ASN personnel must be completed by December 2024. “Article 66 of the ASN Law explicitly requires that this regularization process should have been finalized by December 2024. That is the mandate of the law,” she emphasized. This regulation carries far-reaching implications for all government agencies, including public schools operating under regional administrations. Consequently, the law stipulates that after this deadline, no employee status other than ASN will be permitted within government institutions, with this provision slated to take full effect starting in 2027.
The impending prohibition on honorary status presented a significant challenge: how to ensure these non-ASN educators could continue their invaluable work. Recognizing the indispensable role of honorary teachers in facilitating teaching and learning activities across public schools nationwide, Kemendikdasmen issued this crucial circular. Signed by Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti on March 13, 2026, the circular explicitly states: “For the continuity of learning implementation at educational units organized by regional governments, a policy is needed to ensure these non-ASN teachers can continue to carry out their duties.”
Compounding this issue is the reality that a substantial number of non-ASN teachers remain unregularized. Data from the Data Pokok Pendidikan (Dapodik) reveals that as of late 2025, 237,196 non-ASN teachers had yet to complete the regularization process to become Provisional Civil Servants (PPPK ASN). Nunuk Suryani articulated the dilemma: “Considering these circumstances, the implication of such a situation—where there should no longer be non-ASN personnel in government institutions and schools, yet Dapodik still shows a considerable number of teachers who were not fully accommodated in the 2025 regularization policy—is significant. Their number stands at 237,196.” This gap underscores the urgent need for a transitional policy to prevent disruption in educational services.
Many regional governments expressed apprehension about extending the assignments of non-ASN teachers into 2026, fearing potential conflict with the prevailing ASN Law. It was precisely this uncertainty that prompted Kemendikdasmen to issue the circular. “Against this backdrop,” Nunuk explained, “we at Kemendikdasmen have issued this circular. It serves as a vital reference for education agencies and Personnel Development Officials (PPK) across Indonesia, enabling them to extend the assignment status of the 237,196 active non-ASN teachers currently serving in educational institutions.”
Furthermore, this directive provides a crucial legal foundation for local governments to continue allocating budgets for non-ASN teacher salaries throughout the ongoing ASN regularization transition period. This ensures financial stability for these educators and continuity of essential learning activities while the government works towards a permanent solution for their employment status.
Summary
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has issued Circular No. 7 Year 2026 to guide regional governments on assigning non-Civil Servant (non-ASN) teachers for 2026. This directive addresses Law No. 20 Year 2023, which mandates the regularization of all non-ASN personnel by December 2024 and permits only ASN status in government institutions from 2027. The circular ensures continued learning given the large number of unregularized honorary teachers.
As 237,196 non-ASN teachers were still unregularized by late 2025, regional governments were uncertain about extending their assignments. This Kemendikdasmen circular provides the legal foundation for local administrations to continue assigning these active non-ASN teachers. It also allows local governments to allocate budgets for their salaries during the ongoing regularization transition, ensuring stability and uninterrupted educational services.