Ban on Calistung Tests for Primary School Admissions Seen as the Right Move
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has firmly prohibited the implementation of reading, writing and counting tests (calistung) in the admission process for primary schools (SPMB SD). The policy is seen as a crucial step in creating an inclusive educational environment.
National Coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), Ubaid Matraji, said the policy is the right step to humanise children from an early age. He argued that primary school should be an open gate for all children regardless of whether they can read at the outset.
‘This policy is the right move to humanise our children from an early age. Primary schools should be a gateway that is inclusive, friendly, and open for all children, irrespective of whether they already can read when applying,’ Ubaid told Media Indonesia on Thursday (21/5).’
Although supportive, Ubaid offered critical notes about field implementation. He worries the rule could become mere formality if not accompanied by strict oversight down to the level of the lowest education units.
‘Rules are rules if there is no strict supervision. The Ministry together with local Education Offices must ensure this ban is truly observed. Do not let this calistung ban disappear on the surface, only to re-emerge as an ’undercover interview’ or some other assessment whose essence remains the same,’ he stressed.
In addition to admission screening, JPPI highlighted the burden of the curriculum in the early grades. Ubaid urged the Ministry to immediately revise first-grade textbooks to align with the spirit of banning calistung tests. He argued it would be contradictory if entry requirements are eased, yet in-class learning materials demand high reading abilities from day one.
‘Don’t let the admission ban stay in place, but once children start in class, the textbooks are full of long and dense reading texts. This is contradictory and stressful for children,’ he concluded.
The policy banning calistung tests in SD admissions is expected to restore the function of basic education as a foundational and enjoyable phase, rather than an academic burden that frightens young children. (Des/I-1)
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education bans calistung tests in SD admissions. See rules on the minimum age of five years and six months and mental readiness requirements under Permendikdasmen.
The ban on calistung tests aims to protect children from excessive academic burdens psychologically. Understand the mental impact and the PAUD-to-SD transition rules here.