81 Years of Central Java: Free Education to Scholarships in South Korea

Rafa’s path to senior high school was nearly blocked because his grades were not enough to secure a place in a state school. However, the Central Java Provincial Government’s Partnership School Programme opened another route for him. Thanks to the programme, he can now continue his education free of charge and keep his dream of becoming a soldier alive.

“Previously I tried to register at a state school, but my grades were not enough. I am happy to be able to study here because I can make many friends,” Rafa said in a written statement on Sunday (16/8/2026).

Ahead of the 81st anniversary of Central Java Province, Rafa’s story reflects the government’s presence in safeguarding the continuity of education for children from low-income families. Under the leadership of Governor Ahmad Luthfi and Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, education services have been expanded through state schools, partnership schools with private institutions, special schools for young athletes, and overseas education.

In the 2026/2027 academic year, 231,724 places were provided in state senior high schools, vocational high schools, and special schools. This figure is equivalent to about 40.83 percent of the estimated number of junior high school graduates in Central Java.

Students are exempted from school operational costs, including tuition fees and compulsory contributions, textbook packages, and certain academic and extracurricular activities.

However, because the capacity of state schools cannot yet reach all graduates, the Central Java Provincial Government has partnered with 139 private schools, consisting of 56 senior high schools and 83 vocational high schools, through the Partnership School Programme. The programme targets prospective students from low-income families in Decile 1 to Decile 4 of the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN). Partner schools are prohibited from charging education fees to programme participants.

In the 2026/2027 academic year, 3,676 students were admitted through the Partnership School Programme, consisting of 1,036 senior high school students and 2,640 vocational high school students. This number increased by 1,273 students compared with the previous academic year, which reached 2,390 students.

The Central Java Provincial Government provides assistance of Rp2 million per student each year, with the programme’s capacity reaching 5,004 places.

Support for low-income families is also provided through education financing assistance. In 2025, the Central Java Provincial Government distributed the Poor Student Scholarship (BSM) to 10,000 students, each receiving Rp1 million.

In addition, 1,100 out-of-school children received BSM worth Rp2 million per student.

In 2026, BSM was again given to 10,000 students at Rp1 million per student. Financing support is also provided through BOSDA, using a poor-student approach, reaching 50,620 students at Rp1 million per student.

These policies show that efforts to equalise education are carried out not only by increasing school capacity but also through financing support so that economic conditions do not become a barrier for children to remain in school.

The expansion of learning opportunities is accompanied by a commitment to keeping the student admission process fair. The warning “no titip, no jastip” has been repeatedly conveyed by Ahmad Luthfi on various occasions related to education.

The Central Java SPMB must be implemented transparently, openly, objectively, and without discrimination, and is supervised by the Ombudsman.

“There is not a single senior high school in our area that accepts favours. No titip, no jastip. If there is, I will remove the principal,” Governor Ahmad Luthfi stressed.

This firmness is part of efforts to ensure that school places are given based on regulations, not because of personal connections or interference from certain parties. In this way, the free school programme and Partnership Schools truly reach the children who are entitled to receive them.

Luthfi emphasised that education is a path to improving family welfare while breaking the chain of poverty. Economic conditions, he said, should not cause children to lose the opportunity to learn.

“Education is an investment in the future,” he said.

The Central Java Provincial Government has also opened special space for children with sporting talent and achievements through the Central Java Sports Excellence State Senior High School, or SMANKO. The boarding school in the Jatidiri Sports Area, Semarang City, allows young athletes to continue formal education without abandoning training and competition.

In the 2025/2026 academic year, SMANKO accommodated 252 students, consisting of 108 Year 10 students and 144 Year 11 students. A total of 21 sports are the focus of development, including athletics, weightlifting, rock climbing, and wushu.

At the 2025 National Student Games (Popnas), SMANKO students contributed six gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals for Central Java.

Admission of student athletes has been reopened for the 2026/2027 academic year. Students who pass receive facilities including dormitory accommodation, meals, exemption from education and training fees, athlete equipment, monthly pocket money, test match and championship programmes, and BPJS Employment protection.

Ezar, a taekwondo athlete from Cilacap who is part of SMANKO, said the school shows government support for developing young athletes.

“Thank you, Governor of Central Java, for the opportunity given to me to achieve success,” he said.

Head of the Central Java Education Office Sadimin said equal access and mentoring for high-achieving students must go hand in hand.

“We want to ensure equal access to education, while also providing space for the talents and achievements of Central Java’s young generation to grow,” Sadimin said.

The reach of education services has also been expanded through the Sister Province Scholarship Programme. The Central Java Provincial Government facilitates students from low-income families to study in South Korea. The programme is designed as work-competency-based education so that graduates can improve their families’ economic standing.

Interest in the programme is also high. A total of 1,825 people registered, which was narrowed to 100 participants and further selected to 62 people.

They undergo training and examinations.