Jayawijaya Government Threatens State Schools with Sanctions Over Rp4 Million SPMB Levy

The Jayawijaya Regency Government in Papua Pegunungan has stressed that the implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB) for the 2026/2027 academic year across all state schools and inpres schools must be free from levies. This affirmation was made following reports of alleged charges of up to Rp4 million per student at several schools in Wamena.

Head of the Jayawijaya Regency Education Office, Kaleb Asso, stated that the local government prohibits all forms of levies in the new student admissions process at state and inpres schools. The prohibition refers to statutory regulations and directives from the regional head.

“We affirm that for new student admissions in the Jayawijaya region, particularly for state and inpres schools, there must be absolutely no levies from schools to parents,” Kaleb said in Wamena on Friday.

According to Kaleb, levies are only permitted in private schools because their operational financing is not covered by the government. However, the amount charged must still be reasonable and not burdensome to parents.

“Private schools may impose levies, but they must be reasonable and not burdensome to parents. This is different from state and inpres schools, where all financing is covered by the government,” he said.

He stressed that state schools have no reason to charge fees during the SPMB process because the government disburses School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds annually. The amount of these funds is adjusted according to the number of students in each educational unit.

“Schools have no reason whatsoever to collect fees from parents because BOS funds from the government are available for school operations. Therefore, we strictly prohibit fee levies in the SPMB,” he said.

Kaleb confirmed that the Education Office will summon headteachers proven to have imposed levies on prospective new students. The local government has also prepared strict sanctions as a deterrent.

“Of course, we will summon and request an explanation from the school. If proven guilty, strict sanctions will be imposed so that this act is not repeated,” he said.