Fact check: West Java government has not officially reinstated SPP for state schools

Jakarta (ANTARA/JACX) – A Facebook post has claimed that the West Java Provincial Government (Pemprov Jabar) will reintroduce the Education Development Contribution (SPP) at state schools.

The post also linked the proposal to the budgets of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme and the Red-and-White Village Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa Merah Putih).

The post was headlined: “WEST JAVA PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT WILL REACTIVATE SPP PAYMENTS AT STATE SCHOOLS.”

It went on to say: “In my view, rather than reinstating SPP for state senior high schools as in the old days, it would be better to halt the MBG funding and the red-and-white village cooperatives. Their benefits are not commensurate with the trillions of rupiah being spent. Better for the state budget to be used for free education through to senior high school, with no SPP, voluntary contributions, or other charges burdening parents. Let all children receive an education for FREE, and make it easier for parents to earn a decent income.”

But is it true that the West Java Provincial Government will reintroduce SPP at state schools?

Explanation:

Based on our research, the West Java Provincial Government has not adopted a policy to reinstate SPP at state schools.

The proposal remains merely a suggestion under discussion in amendments to Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 5 of 2019 on the Administration of Education.

Aceng Malki, a member of Commission V of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), as reported by ANTARA, explained that the proposal to reinstate SPP is still at the deliberation stage, with the DPRD still gathering input from the Education Office, schools, academics, teachers, education organisations, and the public.

According to Aceng, the proposal is not intended for all pupils. SPP is only being considered for parents classed as well-off, with a monthly income of at least around Rp8 million, or in income deciles 5 to 10.

He also stressed that the proposal has not been decided upon, as deliberations on the regulation’s amendment are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Ono Surono, Deputy Speaker of the West Java DPRD, as reported by ANTARA, said he rejects the idea of reinstating SPP at state schools.

In his view, the government must continue to guarantee the delivery of 12 years of free education, in accordance with the mandate of prevailing legislation.

Ono argued that limited school facilities cannot be used as a reason to revive SPP charges.

He urged the West Java Provincial Government to optimise the regional budget (APBD) so that all operational needs of state schools, the development of facilities and infrastructure, and teachers’ welfare can be met without burdening parents.

He also expressed hope that the proposal to reinstate SPP will not proceed into official policy.

Therefore, the claim that the West Java Provincial Government will reinstate SPP at state schools is inaccurate. To date, the reinstatement of SPP remains only a proposal under discussion and has not been adopted as official policy.