Investigation Continues into Alleged Withholding of School Certificates Over Unpaid Voluntary Contributions
The school certificate of a student from SMA Negeri 2 Yogyakarta, which had previously been a subject of dispute, has been returned by the school. However, reports regarding the alleged withholding of certificates and the imposition of ‘voluntary contributions’ are proceeding. The non-governmental organisation (NGO) Sarang Lidi stated that a report has been submitted to the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen).
Siti Zoura Humairah, Secretary of Sarang Lidi, confirmed that the certificate for student ‘B’ was handed over on Wednesday (3/6/2026). Nevertheless, the organisation is continuing its report as they believe certain aspects of the incident require further investigation. “When we arrived at the school, the certificate was immediately provided. We also had a somewhat difficult discussion with the principal and several vice-principals who are responsible for the occurrence of this event,” Zoura stated on Friday (5/6/2026).
“They did not mention anything regarding contributions. They repeatedly stated that there were no levies and denied linking the withholding of the certificate to these contributions,” she added. Despite the student receiving the certificate, Zoura emphasised that the report to the Ministry’s Inspectorate General remains active and is currently being processed for further investigation.
The case originated from a report by a parent, identified as ‘L’ (54), who claimed their child’s certificate was not handed over during the distribution on Friday (29/5/2026). According to information received by Sarang Lidi, the student was directed to meet the school treasurer before they could collect the document.
“On Saturday, we investigated the case by speaking with the parents and the student. The chronology shows that on Friday, the student arrived at school ready to collect the certificate, but the homeroom teacher directed them to meet the treasurer first,” Zoura explained. “When the student met the treasurer, they were told, ‘You will not receive your certificate if you have not settled this administrative burden.’”
According to Zoura, the ‘administrative burden’ refers to voluntary contributions requested when the student transferred to SMA Negeri 2 Yogyakarta, with an outstanding balance of Rp 3.4 million from a total of Rp 5.5 million. “They always label it as a voluntary contribution, but in practice, the student received letters every time report cards were issued, reminding them of unpaid fees,” she continued.
In response, the Principal of SMA Negeri 2 Yogyakarta, Suprihatin, denied that the school had withheld any certificates. “That is not true. We distributed the certificates to all students simultaneously last Friday. To report that we were withholding them is incorrect,” Suprihatin said. He admitted the student was asked to meet the committee’s assistant treasurer but claimed it was merely to confirm the status of the voluntary contributions. “The student was simply requested to confirm with the treasurer. After that, they were to return to the homeroom teacher to collect the certificate. However, ‘B’ did not collect the certificate and went home.”
Suprihatin further asserted that all contributions at the school are voluntary, with amounts determined by the parents. “The amount is based on what the parents previously agreed to. Everything is left to the parents; since it is a voluntary contribution, there is no penalty for not paying,” he concluded, adding that the school did not discuss the outstanding balance when the parent arrived to collect the certificate on Wednesday.