Corruption in School Uniform Procurement Harming Parents, Says Education Observer

The alleged corruption in the procurement of school uniforms involving the inactive Langkat Regent, Syah Afandin, continues to draw condemnation. This time, criticism has come from education observers who assess that the practice not only harms state finances but also burdens parents of students amidst the high cost of education. Education observer Satriawan Salim stated that the alleged gratuity related to elementary school uniform procurement is an irony in a sector that should be a priority for human resource development. “We, as an education organization and teachers, strongly condemn the corruption incident involving school uniforms, whether for elementary, junior high, or senior high schools. This clearly harms parents amid the still high cost of education,” Satriawan told reporters on Monday, July 6, 2026. He noted that the individual who should have been a role model instead took advantage of the school uniform procurement. “It turns out that the one enjoying the uniforms is the regional head who took the opportunity or niche for corruption from the procurement. I think law enforcement agencies, the KPK, the Attorney General’s Office, and the police must really tighten supervision. And parents should not be afraid to report, because if the world of education is already corrupt, how can we build character, integrity, and honesty?” he said. Satriawan also urged law enforcement to take firm action against those proven to have committed corruption in the education sector. “We urge law enforcement to be truly firm in handling this case. So that the large education budget can truly fulfill the rights of students and teachers to achieve quality learning,” he concluded.