Free Private School Programme Breaks Down Education Barriers in Jakarta

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The long-held perception of ‘public schools first, private schools second or vice versa’ among Jakarta residents is being eroded. The Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI Jakarta) has officially expanded the Free School Programme to include private schools.

This move aims to dismantle exclusivity barriers that often cause stress during the annual New Student Admission (PPDB) process. Previously, intense competition for public school spots left many students excluded due to limited capacity, while private school choices were daunting for parents due to high entrance fees and sky-high Sumbangan Pembinaan Pendidikan (SPP) costs.

Through the free private school policy, Pemprov DKI Jakarta aims to ensure that cost no longer impedes children’s right to education.

‘Program ini bertujuan untuk memperluas akses pendidikan bagi warga, sekaligus memastikan setiap anak di Jakarta memperoleh layanan pendidikan inklusif, berkeadilan, dan berkualitas,’ said Jakarta’s Education Department Head (Kadisdik), Nahdiana, when confirmed by Kompas.com on Tuesday (26/5/2026).

Nahdiana highlighted the vital role of private schools, especially in densely populated areas where public schools are not yet accessible. She stated that the subsidy comes with strict commitments, monitored through multiple layers of monitoring, evaluation, and field verification.

Partner private schools must meet criteria: official permits, National School Identification Number (NPSN), accreditation, and active receipt of School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds for the past three years.

‘Prinsipnya, satuan pendidikan penerima Program Sekolah Swasta Gratis dilarang memungut biaya dalam bentuk apapun dari peserta didik,’ Nahdiana stressed.

According to Cecep, the free school scheme must be fairly tiered: free plus scholarships for the needy, free for middle-class, and still paid for the affluent.

‘It would be unfair for affluent families, sorry, like a minister’s child or a businessman’s child to have their private school fees covered by the government. I think that’s inappropriate. There must be precise targeting to ensure the budget reaches the right people,’ he said.