Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government

Summary

Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government regulates the administration of regional government, the division of governmental affairs between the Central Government, provincial regional governments, and regency/city regional governments, as well as the implementation of regional autonomy within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. This law is one of the important foundations in the administration of Early Childhood Education (PAUD) in the regions because it establishes education as a Mandatory Governmental Affair related to Basic Services. Consequently, regional governments have an obligation to provide educational services in accordance with the division of authority stipulated in laws and regulations. In the division of governmental affairs in the education sector, the management of early childhood education falls under the authority of regency/city regional governments, along with the management of primary education and non-formal education. Meanwhile, the Central Government has the authority to establish national education standards and the national curriculum. In the field of curriculum, the Central Government has the authority to establish the national Early Childhood Education curriculum, while regency/city regional governments have the authority to establish local content curricula for primary education, Early Childhood Education, and non-formal education in accordance with statutory provisions. This law also grants authority to regency/city regional governments to issue operational permits for community-run Early Childhood Education and non-formal education units. This division of authority places regency/city governments as the main actors in the management, guidance, service, and development of PAUD in the regions. In addition to education, this law designates women's empowerment and child protection as one of the Mandatory Governmental Affairs that becomes a regional responsibility. This provision is important for the development of PAUD, which is not only oriented toward educational services but is also integrated with the fulfillment of children's rights, protection, health, welfare, and growth and development. Regional government administrators are also required to prioritize the implementation of Mandatory Governmental Affairs related to Basic Services and carry them out guided by the Minimum Service Standards established by the Central Government. These provisions serve as the basis for strengthening the responsibility of regional governments in expanding access and improving the quality of PAUD services. For IKADPAUDI, Law Number 23 of 2014 is a strategic reference for studies, advocacy, and policy recommendations regarding PAUD governance in the regions, particularly in determining the authority of the central, provincial, and regency/city governments; educational planning and budgeting; basic service standards; PAUD unit licensing; local content curricula; and strengthening the integration of educational affairs with child protection. Legal status note: Law Number 23 of 2014 is still in effect, but a number of its provisions have been amended and some have been revoked. Amendments have been made, among others, through Law Number 2 of 2015, Law Number 9 of 2015, Job Creation regulations, and Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments. Certain provisions were also revoked through Law Number 17 of 2019 concerning Water Resources and Law Number 1 of 2022 concerning Financial Relations between the Central Government and Regional Governments. Therefore, the application of this law must take into account applicable amendments and related regulations.