Free Private School Programme Targets 20 Educational Institutions in West Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A total of 20 educational institutions in the West Jakarta (Jakbar) area are targeted for the free private school programme for the 2026/2027 academic year. These 20 schools are divided into 11 in the Jakbar 1 area and nine in the Jakbar 2 area. “In the Jakbar 2 area, there are nine schools targeted, namely SMP Al Inayah, SMP Al Hasanah, SMKS Maarif Jakarta, SMAS Bufi Murni 2, SMKS Prima Wisata, SMKS Al Hamidiyah, SMKS Kebon Jeruk Jakarta, and SMAS YP BDN,” said the Head of the West Jakarta Education Sub-District Office for Area 2, Diding Wahyudin, when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday evening. Diding stated that these schools were verified by the Sub-District Education Office after submitting applications to become loci for the free private school programme. Some schools, Diding said, had also submitted applications but later withdrew. “There were also those who were interested (and then) withdrew. Because their calculations (of funding) were too small,” Diding remarked. In the programme, all student costs are covered by the DKI Provincial Government, just like in public schools. “The meaning of free is that there is not a single child (student) who is asked for fees, the same as in (public) schools. Including for school needs, especially practical equipment,” Diding explained. Registration is planned to open in June 2026 as part of the New Student Admission System/Student Registration Process (SPMB/PPDB) for the 2026/2027 academic year. The Head of the West Jakarta Education Sub-District Office for Area 1, Agus Ramdhani, stated that the free private school programme is a tangible manifestation and commitment to providing broader and more equitable access to education. “With the existence of free private schools, it is hoped that more students can continue their education with good quality and a supportive learning environment,” Agus said. Agus added that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has selected 11 free private schools within the West Jakarta Education Sub-District Office Area 1 environment. “The selection of free private schools is prioritised in sub-districts that do not have public schools,” Agus said. The 11 schools are Special Needs School (SLB) B-C Alfiany, SLB B-C Kasih Bunda, SLB C Bina Insan Kamil, SMP Garuda, SMP Melania I, SMP Muhamadiyah 32, SMP Cindera Mata Indah, SMA Lamaholot, SMKS Citra Utama, SMKS Permata Bunda, and SMKS Benteng Gading Jakarta. “Based on Governor’s Decree No. 312 of 2026, there are of course requirements for selecting free schools, including the school having an establishment permit, the school already accredited by the National Education Accreditation Agency, and being a recipient of school operational assistance from the central government in the last three years,” he stated. Furthermore, Agus explained that the school must also conduct full teaching and learning activities without interrupted classes. “For example, for primary school level, the school must have classes 1 to 6. While for junior secondary, classes 7 to 9 must be available, and for senior secondary/vocational, classes 10 to 12,” he said. Through this programme, Agus continued, it is hoped that no more schoolchildren will have difficulty accessing education just because of financial limitations or the scarcity of public school facilities in their area. “The free private school service for the 2026/2027 academic year will be opened the same as PPDB/SPMB. We are still waiting for the regulations. This week, there will be information on socialisation from the education office. It is estimated for June 2026,” he added.