Depok City Government Partners with UNJ to Boost Quality of 52 Free Private Schools
The Depok City Government in West Java has officially entered into a strategic collaboration with the State University of Jakarta (UNJ) to strengthen the implementation of the Rintisan Sekolah Swasta Gratis (RSSG) programme. The move aims to ensure that the 52 schools involved not only provide free access to education but also uphold superior quality standards.
Depok Mayor Supian Suri stated that the partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNJ Rector Komarudin. The primary focus of the collaboration is academic mentoring and enhancing the competence of teaching staff across the 52 institutions, which comprise private junior high schools (SMP) and Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs).
The RSSG programme is an ambitious initiative by the Depok City Government to broaden access to quality education for the community. Supported by a budget of Rp36 billion, the local government is committed to waiving the Education Development Contribution fees (SPP) for students at partner schools.
However, Mayor Supian Suri emphasised that abolishing fees is merely the first step. “The main objective is to improve teacher competence, equipping educators with training so they can deliver more creative, adaptive, and relevant learning methods for student development,” he said on Sunday (21/6/2026).
In facing the challenges of 21st-century education, teacher certification is a crucial instrument. According to Supian Suri, the certification process ensures that teaching staff meet tested professional standards. This is expected to create a fair, high-quality, and inclusive educational ecosystem in Depok City.
UNJ Rector Komarudin welcomed the collaboration as a tangible form of community service by UNJ as a Teacher Training Institution (LPTK). UNJ will play an active role in building an adaptive and collaborative school identity.
“As an academic partner, UNJ will strive to improve the quality of learning. Training for school principals is also being organised to strengthen branding and a quality-oriented school culture,” Komarudin explained.
This synergy between the local government and the university is expected to go beyond technical training, serving as a model for collaborative school development in Indonesia. With competent human resources, the RSSG schools in Depok are expected to be ready to adapt to the challenges of modern education and support sustainable national development.