SDN Gempol, Kota Serang, 9 December 2025 — Teach First Indonesia and the Government of Serang City officially signed an MoU to begin its partnership to improve access to high-quality education. The city of Serang is one of the first regions selected for Teach First’s program to bring future leaders to teach in underserved classrooms, launching in July 2026.
This collaboration roots from a deeper challenge in Indonesia’s education landscape where millions of children struggle to read1 and do basic math23. These learning gaps contribute to long-term economic challenges, where young graduates are unprepared to enter the workforce. Teach First Indonesia and the Government of Serang City are partnering to address these systemic issues by strengthening the quality of teaching, starting within classrooms that need support the most.
Introducing Teach First Indonesia: A Global Leadership Pathway Starting in Classrooms
Teach First Indonesia, inspired by the global Teach For All network, is introducing a leadership development pathway that begins inside Indonesia’s classrooms. The non-profit organization recruits and develops promising young leaders to teach full-time for two years in underserved schools through its Fellowship Program. Fellows will receive training that equips them to teach in classrooms, serve in schools, and drive long-lasting impact in communities grounded in humility and compassion.
“Our mission is to ensure that all children in Indonesia have access to quality learning and a teacher who believes in their potential, so they can have a bright future. We develop leaders who start by teaching and serving in schools, building a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths of our communities,” Cara Riantoputra, CEO of Teach First Indonesia.
Serang City is Selected as One of the First Placement Area for the First Cohort
The Government of Serang City has been selected as one of the first regional partners after a careful assessment of educational needs, school readiness, and the region’s strong commitment to long-term collaboration. Under this partnership, Fellows will be placed in selected schools beginning July 2026. They will work closely with principals, teachers, and community members to improve foundational literacy and numeracy, strengthen teaching practices, and support school-based development initiatives.
“We warmly welcome Teach First Indonesia in the city of Serang,” said Budi Rustandi, Mayor of Serang City. “This program is, of course, aligned with one of the flagship programs of the Government of Serang City, Program Serang Cerdas. Our hope moving forward is to ensure that our children receive the best possible education, and we are confident that this partnership supports that goal. We are committed to working with Teach First Indonesia to support teachers and schools in Serang City, so that students have the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the future”.
This partnership also marks the beginning of TFI’s ambition to build a national movement with Serang City as a the beginning and gradually expanding to more regions, including remote areas that need support the most. Cara emphasized that the partnership with the Serang City Government is an important first step in the organization’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s education ecosystem.
First Recruitment Opens January 2026: Calling Young Leaders to Serve
Teach First Indonesia will begin recruiting its first cohort of Fellows in January 2026. The program is open to young professionals and fresh graduates from all academic backgrounds who are passionate about making a meaningful impact.
Fellows will not only undergo intensive pre-service training, but will also receive competitive incentives, along with access to networks, mentorship, and career opportunities–ensuring support both during their two-year service and beyond as Alumni who continue driving positive change in their communities. Cara added, “This is an opportunity for young Indonesians who are not only looking for deeply impactful work, but also seeking to invest in their own growth as future leaders, gaining world-class training, mentorship, and a lifelong network that will support their careers”.
Inspired by the path of other countries in the Teach For All network, TFI ultimately aims to bring forth thousands of compassionate young leaders who understand Indonesia’s education challenges.
1. Badan Pusat Statistik (2024). Illiteracy Rate of Population Aged 10+ by Province and Sex. Retrieved from: bps.go.id
2. Sidik & Intan (2025). PISA Scores, Reference for Student Skill Levels in the Vision of Golden Indonesia 2045. Retrieved from Kompas
3. OECD. (2022). PISA 2022 results (Volume I & II): Country notes—Indonesia. Retrieved from OECD
