Controversy Surrounding Maung School, Dedi Mulyadi's Initiative

Maung School, described as a ‘superior human school’ or Maung School, the initiative conceived by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, will open online registration from 25 to 29 May 2026. The pilot project has sparked controversy after being rejected by a member of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and criticised by education experts.

DPRD West Java member Maulana Yusuf Erwinsyah rejected Maung School for several reasons. He said the school is outside the agreed plan. According to the latest agreement between Commission V of the West Java DPRD and the Education Office on 27 February 2026, Maung School as a new school would be built on a 10-hectare site in Tajug Gede, Purwakarta; in addition, Maung School uses new teaching methods and introduces new vocational streams as SMK (Vocational High School).

“We learned from social media that the West Java Education Department opened registration for Maung School in 41 schools,” Maulana told Tempo on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He questioned why Maung School selects flagship or favoured schools that already exist in several regions. For instance, in Bogor City, Maung School is taking SMA Negeri 1 Bogor. “Why not in a school considered not to be exemplary, where the teaching methods could be improved to become an outstanding school?” he asked.

Another reason for opposition concerns admission rules. He said the government has been striving to equalise or remove disparities between schools, but Maung School appears to bypass this by prioritising admissions schedules and scrapping the zonation system. “The school only admits high-achieving students; this already amounts to discrimination,” he argued.

Maulana urged the West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi not to push his political pledge to establish elite schools, arguing there are more immediate and pressing educational problems in West Java. He cited issues such as aligning vocational graduates with work opportunities to address unemployment, and shortages of teachers. “If there is urgency, Maung School does not address it at all,” he said.

Education expert Dan Satriana stated that the Maung School policy clearly signals a regression in the mindset of West Java’s leadership and the Education Office. For example, the removal of zonation: zonation rules introduced since 2017 aim to equalise access and quality of education, eliminate stigma attached to favoured schools, and bring schooling closer to families. With the removal of zonation for Maung School, Dan views it as an acknowledgment of the government’s failure to equalise education and to provide equitable access. “Thus, it constitutes a shortcut that runs counter to the constitutional mandate and the National Education System Law (UU Sisdiknas),” he said on Friday, 22 May 2026.

The UU Sisdiknas guarantees every citizen the right to quality education without exception. Regardless of academic value, every child has the same right to quality education, particularly schools near their home.

Dan assessed the Maung School concept as appearing still raw and rushed. He suggested it could work under coordination with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology through the Garuda School programme, without district administrations implementing it themselves. “Regencies should focus on their authority and duties by distributing infrastructure and improving the quality of education services in West Java,” he said.

If Maung School is to be designed as a Garuda Transformation School, Dan says a review is needed of the readiness of the 41 Maung Schools to run such a school, including curriculum development, facilities, teacher quality, and a learning environment conducive to it.

Head of the West Java Education Office Purwanto explained that Maung School does not use zonation or geographic boundaries. Students can register for Maung School in cities or regencies other than their own within West Java. “Maung School only accepts students through the achievement pathway,” he told Tempo on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

Purwanto said the capacity of Maung School is 21,000 students. Applicants who fail to pass the Maung School selection can re-apply and participate in the New Student Admission System (SPMB) at other schools. The school exists to facilitate education for children who require special services.

Among the three admission routes, capacities allocate approximately 10% to academically talented students, 70% to those based on academic competence, and 20% to non-academic competence.

Applicants must meet several requirements, including being a graduate of junior high school (SMP) or an equivalent in the current or previous year, and being at most 21 years old as of 1 July 2026. In addition, applicants via the academic-competence route must have taken the Academic Ability Test (TKA) administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemdikbudristek). “The TKA requirement is waived for SMK,” Purwanto said.

Furthermore, applicants for Maung School must demonstrate high potential or achievements in academic or non-academic fields, evidenced by results of the Academic Potential Test, report cards or learning results, certificates, certificates of championships or non-championships in academic or non-academic domains, portfolios, or other supporting documents.

Special applicant requirements include having resided for at least one year in a city or regency in West Java, evidenced by a family card (KK) and a identity card (KTP). Additional requirements include a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s former school stating they are high achieving and intend to continue education to higher education.