Balikpapan's 2026 New Student Admission System Now Accessible Online
The implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB) for the 2026/2027 Academic Year in the city of Balikpapan can now be carried out online, meaning registration no longer needs to be done physically at each school. This represents a digital technology innovation developed by the Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud) of Balikpapan City.
The Head of Balikpapan City Disdikbud, Irfan Taufik, stated during an SPMB press conference that one of the key changes being implemented is an online service for obtaining queue numbers for document verification and validation, designed to ease public access whilst improving service effectiveness. “This online-based queue system is designed to reduce public crowding and provide certainty over service schedules for prospective students and parents,” he explained.
Through this system, the public no longer needs to visit the office simply to obtain a queue number. They can now register online, after which the system will arrange a service schedule complete with a specified date and estimated time. Irfan revealed that queue number collection for the file verification and validation process will be open from 15 to 23 June 2026. During that period, the public can access the service independently through the platform prepared by Disdikbud Balikpapan City.
“After obtaining a service schedule, prospective students must undergo the document verification and validation process, which runs from 24 June to 1 July 2026,” he said. This stage, he added, forms an important part of ensuring all data and registration requirements comply with applicable regulations. To maintain service quality, Disdikbud is limiting the number of queues served each day.
“Service capacity is set at approximately 200 to 300 participants per day, so that the document checking process can run more orderly and optimally,” he said. By regulating daily service numbers, the public receives more comfortable service, and officers can also conduct document checks to the fullest extent.
In addition to changes in the queue system, adjustments have also been made to the Tahfidz Al-Qur’an pathway mechanism. In previous years, the legalisation process was conducted through Disdikbud; now, the endorsement of Tahfidz certificates falls under the authority of the Ministry of Religious Affairs according to each respective region. Irfan explained that participants who have obtained legalisation from the Ministry of Religious Affairs can directly proceed with the registration process according to their chosen pathway, without needing to go through an endorsement stage at Disdikbud.
As a form of support for service digitalisation, Disdikbud Balikpapan will also provide guidance materials in the form of video tutorials published through the agency’s official social media channels. This content is prepared to help the public independently understand the stages of obtaining queue numbers and the file verification process.
He stressed that the implementation of a digital system within SPMB is part of the Balikpapan City Government’s effort to create education services that are more transparent, efficient, and easily accessible to all levels of society. The agency wants to ensure all stages of SPMB take place openly, are measurable, and provide service certainty for the public. Digital technology represents one step towards achieving this goal.
“We hope that through these various updates, the implementation of SPMB 2026 can proceed more smoothly and provide a better service experience for prospective students and parents in Balikpapan,” he concluded.