A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Untangling the Red Thread: Formulating Solutions to Educational Challenges in Basic and Secondary Education Toward Indonesia Gold 2045 in South Kalimantan Province” was held in July 2024. This event was a collaboration between the SDG’s Center of Lambung Mangkurat University and the Regional Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA) of South Kalimantan Province. The discussion aimed to devise strategic solutions to address significant issues in basic and secondary education, including low teacher competency, inadequate infrastructure, limited educational access in remote areas, and socioeconomic disparities.

The FGD highlighted the pressing need to enhance teaching quality through continuous training and improved teacher welfare. Infrastructure development, such as proper classrooms and technological resources, emerged as a critical priority, especially in underserved regions. The event also emphasized the importance of leveraging technology-based innovations, such as digital schools, to bridge educational access gaps in remote areas. Additionally, community empowerment and involvement were identified as essential strategies to support the education of children from underprivileged families.

As a follow-up, plans were laid out to establish a task force to implement the proposed solutions, schedule teacher training programs and infrastructure development, and conduct regular monitoring and evaluation. This FGD serves as a pivotal step toward transforming education in South Kalimantan, aligning efforts with the nation’s vision of achieving Indonesia Gold 2045.