Online School & Homeschool in Indonesia

Live online Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, Pearson Edexcel, IB Diploma, American AP and the OSSD through our Ontario partner school, for Indonesian, expatriate and returning families across Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Bandung, Batam and Yogyakarta.

From USD 423/month (Primary), varying by curriculum and level. Small live classes of 4-6 students, homework after every lesson and weekly reports.

Where our Indonesia families are

We teach families across Indonesia, with pages for Jakarta and Jabodetabek, Bali, Surabaya and East Java, Bandung and West Java, Batam and the Riau Islands, and Yogyakarta and Central Java. Families in Medan, Makassar, Balikpapan, Semarang, Lombok and everywhere else join the same live classes online.

Homeschool laws and regulation in Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the more open countries in Asia for homeschooling. The law recognises education run by the family, sets out how a homeschool registers, and offers equivalency exams for the state diploma. Here is how it fits together.

Law No. 20/2003 on the National Education System

Indonesian law recognises formal, non-formal and informal education. Informal education is run by the family and the community (Article 27), and its results are recognised as equal to formal and non-formal education once the student passes an assessment against the national standard. Nine years of basic education are compulsory (wajib belajar), and homeschooling is a lawful way to meet it.

Permendikbud No. 129/2014 on Sekolahrumah

The Ministry regulation sets out three forms of homeschooling: tunggal (one family), majemuk (several families) and komunitas (a community group). Single and multi-family homeschools register with the district or city education office (Dinas Pendidikan kabupaten/kota). Check the current procedure with your local Dinas.

The Indonesian diploma: Paket A, B and C

Homeschooled students obtain the state ijazah by passing the equivalency exams — Paket A (primary, SD), Paket B (lower secondary, SMP) and Paket C (upper secondary, SMA) — usually through a PKBM community learning centre. Paket C graduates can apply to Indonesian state universities like SMA graduates.

International qualifications and penyetaraan

Indonesian citizens who use a foreign diploma (Cambridge, IB, American, OSSD) for an Indonesian university or the civil service need ijazah equivalence (penyetaraan) from the Ministry. Universities abroad accept these qualifications directly. Families who want both options often combine an international route with Paket C.

SPK and international schools

Licensed international schools in Indonesia are SPK schools (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama). Indonesian students at SPK schools also study Indonesian language, religion and civics. Smartious is not an SPK school; we teach online, as a homeschool programme or alongside school.

Foreign families

Expatriate families living in Indonesia commonly homeschool or use international schools. Check your home country's rules if you plan to return, and the conditions of your visa or KITAS.

Why Indonesia families choose Smartious

Live teachers, not self-study

Small live classes of 4-6 students, with homework after every lesson and weekly reports for parents.

Lessons in the Indonesian day

Classes run in the Indonesian afternoon (WIB), unlike UK online schools that teach on London time.

Both doors open

International qualifications for universities abroad, with clear advice on Paket C and penyetaraan for Indonesian universities.

Wherever you live

Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Bandung, Batam, Yogyakarta, or anywhere across the archipelago.

One route if you move

Cambridge, IB and AP continue unchanged for families on postings or moving abroad.

Clear fees

From USD 423/month (Primary), varying by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition from USD 15/hour.

Fees and admission

From USD 423/month for Primary, payable termly; varies by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition: USD 15/hour.

Frequently asked questions

Is homeschooling legal in Indonesia?

Yes. Law No. 20/2003 on the National Education System recognises informal education run by the family, and Permendikbud No. 129/2014 sets out homeschooling (sekolahrumah) in three forms: single-family, multi-family and community. Single and multi-family homeschools register with the district or city education office (Dinas Pendidikan). For an Indonesian state diploma, students sit the Paket A, B or C equivalency exams, usually through a PKBM.

Do I need to register our homeschool?

Under Permendikbud No. 129/2014, single-family and multi-family homeschools register with the district or city education office (Dinas Pendidikan). Procedures vary locally, so check with your Dinas.

How does a homeschooled student get an Indonesian ijazah?

By passing the equivalency exams: Paket A for primary, Paket B for lower secondary and Paket C for upper secondary, usually through a PKBM. Paket C graduates can apply to Indonesian state universities like SMA graduates.

Can an Indonesian student use IGCSE or A-Level for an Indonesian university?

Yes, with ijazah equivalence (penyetaraan ijazah) from the Ministry, which Indonesian citizens need when they use a foreign diploma at home. Families who want to keep both doors open often add the Paket C exam. For universities abroad — Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, the UK, the US or Canada — Cambridge A-Level, the IB Diploma and AP are accepted directly.

Where do students in Indonesia sit Cambridge exams?

As private candidates through the British Council in Jakarta or at Cambridge schools in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Bali and Batam that accept them, in the May/June and October/November series. We help each family plan entries.

What time are the live classes?

In the Indonesian afternoon, from about 1 PM WIB (2 PM in Bali). Jakarta is four hours ahead of our Nairobi head office.

Is Smartious an SPK school or a PKBM?

No. Smartious is an online school based in Nairobi. Families use us as a homeschool programme or alongside a school; for the Indonesian ijazah, students sit Paket exams through a PKBM.

How much does Smartious cost?

From USD 423/month for Primary, varying by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition is USD 15/hour. Admission starts with a placement assessment.

Guides for families in this country

What parents say

Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 130+ reviews. Read our Google reviews

“I have peace of mind as a Smartious Homeschool parent. No more traffic and early morning rush to school. Smartious are the most organized homeschool providers.” — Google reviewer, Google review

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