Dedi Mulyadi Prepares Maung School for High-Achieving Students
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has initiated the establishment of Sekolah Manusia Unggulan, also known as Sekolah Maung, specifically designed for students excelling in academic and non-academic fields. The school will begin accepting new pupils in the 2026 Seleksi Penerimaan Murid Baru (SPMB) for graduates of Sekolah Menengah Pertama and equivalent institutions.
“Governor wants to create an elite school and facilitate education for children who require special services,” said Head of the West Java Education Office, Purwanto, to Tempo on Sunday, 26 April 2026.
The opening of Sekolah Maung will take place at State Senior High Schools (SMAN) spread across 27 cities and regencies in West Java. In Bandung City, for example, SMAN 3 and 5 have been selected, with their school buildings adjacent and known as favourite schools.
Meanwhile, for State Vocational High Schools (SMKN), according to Purwanto, Sekolah Maung will be limited to 13 cities and regencies representing the branch offices. “We are currently developing the concept, having sought input from universities such as ITB, Unpad, UPI, as well as education practitioners and alumni,” he said.
The registration process for Sekolah Maung is planned to start in May 2026, preceding the regular SPMB stages between May and June 2026. Purwanto stated that Sekolah Maung will not use new buildings but existing schools. “This is a transformation school that we will upgrade, gradually changing several variables,” he said. The pupils will be selected solely through the achievement pathway.
According to Purwanto, academic pathway selection will be based on report card grades and Academic Ability Tests (TKA) by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, which will be accumulated. The non-academic pathway will be based on interests and talents with achievements in sports, arts, and innovation. “For example, if a child has discovered a new innovation and obtained intellectual property rights, we can provide affirmation,” he said.
The capacity of Sekolah Maung is projected at 32 pupils per class or fewer, compared to regular schools which range from 36-42. The total number of classes or learning groups (rombel) will be a maximum of 12 classes. “This is also the aspiration of teachers and the community who need special services in educational units,” said Purwanto.
For applicants to Sekolah Maung who do not pass the selection, they can register for regular public schools. In addition, the West Java Education Office also plans to collaborate with private SMA and SMK to accommodate applicants who do not pass the Sekolah Maung selection.
The costs for Sekolah Maung, according to Purwanto, will come from School Operational Assistance (BOS), operational education assistance from the West Java provincial government, and other schemes. “We can also open opportunities for community participation in funding Sekolah Maung,” he said. It is hoped that the pupils will excel in character, academics, and skills, succeeding in entering state universities or working in the industrial sector for SMK graduates.
Meanwhile, Chair 1 of the West Java High School Principals’ Working Conference, Agam Supriyanta, said that Sekolah Maung aims to produce competitive generations with a curriculum based on interests and talents.
A total of 40 representative public SMA and SMK in West Java will implement the Sekolah Maung programme. “All schools ideally can become Sekolah Maung, having the opportunity and positive contribution to participate in improving educational outcomes,” said Agam on Sunday, 26 April 2026. According to him, other schools can use Sekolah Maung as an example.
Meanwhile, education activist Iwan Hermawan agrees with Sekolah Maung but disagrees with its location. “Sekolah Maung should transform non-elite schools into elite ones and be tasked with seeking out intelligent but underprivileged students,” said the Chair of the Presidium of the Indonesian Retired Educators Association of West Java, on Sunday, 26 April 2026. From the data on prospective Sekolah Maung lists across West Java that he has, the selections point to favoured elite schools.