Jakarta, Sept. 3 -- Indonesia has launched a national initiative to introduce Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning into early childhood education to support the country's 13-year compulsory education initiative, officials said Thursday.

The program aims to build critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability in young learners starting at the kindergarten level.

"We are committed to the 13-year compulsory education program, which focuses not only on providing access to education from kindergarten onwards, but also on delivering a curriculum that fosters both interest and capabilities in STEM," Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said at the launch event in Kudus, Central Java.

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