Depok Schools Urged to Stop Activities Burdening Parents

Depok City Government (Pemkot Depok) has urged all educational units not to hold school activities that could increase costs for parents of students. The advisory is contained in Circular Letter No. 400.3.1/3097/Sekret.um/2026, in follow-up to the West Java Governor’s circular on developing education to produce students who are ‘cageur, bageur, bener, pinter, tur singer’ (healthy, good-natured, correct, clever, and respectful).

The circular, signed by the head of the Depok City Education Agency, Wahid Suryono, on 12 May 2026, states that schools should avoid organising picnics cloaked as study tours if they would increase costs for students’ parents. Instead, schools are encouraged to develop activities that are more innovation-based and focused on practical learning.

Recommended activities include independent waste management, organic farming, livestock farming, fisheries, and expanding students’ awareness of the world of business and industry.

The policy appears amid public scrutiny of school study tours, which are often seen as burdensome for guardians due to transport, meals, and accommodation costs. The advisory applies to all education levels from Early Childhood Education (PAUD) to senior secondary education.

In recent years, graduation ceremonies have drawn attention for becoming large ceremonial events with substantial costs. Students are also urged to reduce pocket money and begin saving as a form of future investment.

Pemkot Depok hopes the policy will return educational activities to a focus on improving learning quality and shaping students’ character without placing financial strain on families.

“All educational units are expected to comply with the advisory,” the document states.