DPRD Banten Asks Education Agency to Evaluate Free Private Schools Still Charging Fees

The Secretary of Commission V of the Banten DPRD, Rifky Hermiansyah, has discovered that some private upper secondary schools (SLTA) in Banten are still collecting levies from students. He has requested the Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud) to evaluate these SMA, SMK, and SKh institutions.

“While the DPRD was conducting its recess, we heard aspirations that some schools are still requesting payments from parents. The education office has received similar findings,” said Rifky on Friday (26/06/2026).

Rifky noted that out of 801 schools, a significant number of private schools are still charging students. “It is around more than five percent,” he stated.

If these reports are proven true, the Education and Culture Office must address them seriously. He stated that he does not want the public to become victims of discrepancies between announced policies and actual practices on the ground.

“If these findings are proven correct, there must certainly be a total evaluation of schools that lack the commitment to implement this free school programme,” he emphasised.

He requested the Education Office to conduct field verifications and follow up on every report received from the community.

“We are encouraging the relevant department to go directly to the field to perform checks. If there are violations, there must be decisive action. This programme must not merely be a slogan, but its benefits must be truly felt by the community,” he said.

Commission V of the Banten Provincial DPRD will continue to oversee the implementation of the Free School Programme to ensure all participating schools comply with the established regulations.

“We will monitor this programme to ensure it runs effectively and reaches the intended targets. Schools that are committed must be supported, but those that do not follow the rules need to be evaluated so that the quality of programme implementation is maintained,” he said.

Rifky recalled that the objective of Governor Andra Soni’s programme is to expand access to education without burdening the public. Schools that violate the rules have undermined the primary goal of the free school initiative.

“The Free School Programme is a form of commitment from the Banten Provincial Government under the administration of Governor Andra Soni to ensure all children have access to proper education without financial constraints,” he said.

“Therefore, schools that have joined this programme must consistently uphold the agreements that have been made,” he added.