Jakarta, April 5 -- The Ministry of Religious Affairs proposed an additional budget of Rp24.8 trillion (approximately US$1.45 billion) for 2026 to improve the quality of religious schools.

"This budget proposal is our effort to ensure there is no longer a gap between madrasahs (Islamic schools) and general schools," Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said in a statement on Sunday.

He detailed that the additional budget would be allocated to several strategic programs, including Rp13.7 trillion (US$801 million) for school revitalization.

Furthermore, Rp10.9 trillion (US$637 million) will be dedicated to the learning digitalization initiative to modernize classrooms.

The minister stated that Rp159 billion (US$9.3 million) will b...