Harmony in Education: An In-Depth Exploration of Indonesian Academic Landscape, Challenges, and Prospects Towards the Golden Generation 2045 Vision

Education stands as the bedrock of individual growth and a defining force in shaping a nation’s identity. Serving as a fundamental pillar for societal advancement, it emerges as a paramount investment for cultivating a golden generation marked by prosperity, health, and equitable communities. In the expansive landscape of global education, Indonesia boasts one of the largest systems, with a resolute commitment from the government evident in high budget allocations. However, despite these endeavors, Indonesia grapples with challenges, reflected in its low international education ranking, currently standing at 6th from the bottom. This study meticulously explores the core challenges embedded in the Indonesian educational system. Using bibliometric analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the authors scrutinized 367 high-quality articles from the Scopus database spanning from August 2000 to 2023. The findings reveal 12 central issues, including curriculum dynamics, persistent educational inequalities, teacher shortages, infrastructure limitations, the specter of corruption, escalating dropout rates, and more. These insights guide policymakers, educators, and researchers committed to navigating and transforming Indonesia’s educational landscape toward a brighter future.