FSGI Highlights Chaotic Implementation of SPMB in West Java

The Federation of Indonesian Teachers Associations (FSGI) has highlighted various problems in the implementation of the 2026 New Student Admission System (SPMB) in West Java. The teachers’ organisation recorded a number of issues ranging from disruptions to the registration system, allegations of score reductions for participants, to reports of maladministration that have been lodged by parents with the Ombudsman. In its monitoring results released on Sunday, 21 June 2026, FSGI stated that the implementation of the SPMB MAUNG in West Java had sparked various controversies from the outset. The programme is a scheme for top-tier senior high schools and vocational schools implemented across 41 schools. FSGI noted that the official West Java SPMB website was reported several times to be difficult to access, experienced disruptions, and even caused applicant data to be temporarily lost. This situation was deemed to have caused difficulties for prospective students and parents. Beyond the technical issues, FSGI also received reports regarding allegations of sudden reductions in selection scores without adequate explanation. ‘A number of parents protested the change in scores because their children’s selection scores or marks were suddenly reduced without clarity, raising suspicions of fraud,’ said FSGI Expert Council member Retno Listyarti on Sunday, 21 June 2026. The implementation of the Prospective New Student Mapping (PCMB) also came under scrutiny. FSGI assessed that its execution triggered controversy as it was considered non-transparent and confusing for participants. As a result of these various problems, hundreds of parents visited the West Java Education Office to demand an explanation and transparency. Some of them also reported suspected maladministration to the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia’s West Java Representative Office. FSGI stated that the issue even attracted the attention of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). The relevant commission in the DPRD was said to have evaluated that the application and system used were not mature from the start of implementation. Amid the various problems in West Java, FSGI assessed that the implementation of the 2026 SPMB in Jakarta ran more smoothly. The organisation called Jakarta the region most prepared to anticipate various obstacles in this year’s new student admission process. According to FSGI, this readiness was supported by planning carried out well before the SPMB implementation began. The Jakarta Provincial Government was said to have conducted public testing of regulations and systems, carried out socialisation down to the sub-district and ward levels, and built various complaint service channels. FSGI also assessed that the management of the registration system in Jakarta ran relatively smoothly because it was carried out in stages based on education levels and admission pathways. In addition, the local government opened service posts at the provincial, city, regency, and school levels to assist participants experiencing difficulties. ‘The implementation of the Jakarta SPMB is increasingly well-organised in every pathway and level and is the most prepared to anticipate emerging problems,’ FSGI wrote in its monitoring report. FSGI stated it would continue to monitor the implementation of the 2026 SPMB until all stages conclude on 10 July. The organisation believes that oversight remains necessary to ensure the student admission process is transparent, accountable, and fair for all prospective students.