DPR Commission X Leader: TKA Results Must Not Determine Student Graduation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Chair of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), MY Esti Wijayanti, has reminded authorities that the results of the Academic Ability Test (TKA) must not be used as a determinant of student graduation or as a requirement for continuing education.

According to Esti, the implementation of TKA, which begins for primary and junior secondary levels from early April 2026, should be understood as an evaluation instrument, not as a decider of students’ academic futures.

“And it must be ensured that TKA results are not used as a variable for graduation or for students’ continuing education,” Esti told reporters on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

Therefore, she emphasised the importance of ensuring that TKA results are genuinely utilised to improve the quality of classroom learning.

“What needs to be noted is not only the conduct of the test, but how the TKA results are truly translated into corrections for the quality of learning in the classroom,” said Esti.

“Is TKA purely a diagnostic tool for learning, or is it starting to be directed towards becoming a basis for consideration in selection for the next level?” Esti added.

“In basic education, the measure of success is not the number of evaluation instruments, but to what extent the evaluation results can actually improve children’s learning experiences,” she concluded.

For information, the Government through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) is currently conducting TKA for school students.

The implementation of TKA for junior secondary level officially begins on 6 April 2026. Meanwhile, for primary level, it will start on 20 April 2026.

The TKA, particularly for primary and junior secondary levels, is not a determinant of student graduation, but rather a tool for mapping education quality.

This exam is non-mandatory and focused on measuring academic achievements (literacy and numeracy) as well as improvements in learning.

TKA scores are said to be an important component in the achievement pathway for the New Student Admission System (SPMP) at primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels. Several universities also use TKA scores as a validator for assessing prospective students in the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) pathway.

TKA results will be issued as a snapshot of students’ academic abilities. The 2026 TKA covers mathematics/numeracy and Indonesian language materials.