Depok City Government Allocates Rp36 Billion to Waive Tuition Fees for Students at 52 Private Junior High Schools

The Depok City Government in West Java has allocated a subsidy budget of Rp36 billion sourced from the regional revenue and expenditure budget (APBD). This measure is taken to waive education costs for tens of thousands of students who are not accommodated in state junior high schools and must attend 52 private junior high schools spread across Depok City. The allocated assistance targets grade 7 students with a tuition subsidy (SPP) amounting to Rp250,000 per month, equivalent to Rp3 million per year for each student. This was confirmed by Depok Mayor Supian Suri to Media Indonesia at his residence in the Cilodong area, Depok City, on Saturday (20/6). He stressed that the Depok City Government is obliged to cover the tuition fees of tens of thousands of students who did not pass the state school selection. This programme is focused on private schools that are affordable within the regional budget. “The Depok City Government ensures this step is taken to guarantee the right to education for families in need,” he said. Supian emphasised that this programme is a form of the Depok City Government’s commitment to providing equitable education services in Depok City. The disbursement of funds has been carried out through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in June 2026, with the main focus on assisting students attending private educational institutions. “The tuition assistance is used to cover education costs that have been a burden for parents, especially in private educational institutions,” he added. He urged parents not to worry. Children attending private schools are guaranteed to receive operational assistance to replace tuition fees during their education at the school. “With this assistance, students from underprivileged families still have the opportunity to attend private institutions without being burdened by tuition fees,” he stressed. Supian Suri explained that for elementary school graduates who registered for state junior high schools but did not pass the selection for their four school choices, the city government still provides a further opportunity. “They can choose a private school after the announcement of the new student admission selection (SPMB),” he said. Through this free school programme, Supian hopes to have a tangible impact in reducing the dropout rate due to economic factors in Depok City. “The Depok City Government wants children to continue their education, whether in state or private schools. Our commitment is to realise equitable development in the education sector and ease the burden of education costs for students,” he stated. Currently, there are 35 state junior high schools in Depok City funded through the school operational assistance (BOS) from the central government, as well as 52 private schools funded directly by the city’s APBD. “The total number of schools funded by BOS and the Depok City APBD reaches 87 schools,” he concluded.