JPPI Receives 301 Complaints on New Student Admissions, Majority Over Zoning Manipulation

The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) has received 301 complaints regarding problems with the 2026 New Student Admission System (SPMB). JPPI National Coordinator Ubaid Matraji stated that the complaints indicate problems were found in all admission pathways. “However, the level and pattern of vulnerability differ,” he said in a written statement on Monday, 6 July 2026.

The 2026 SPMB opened four admission pathways: domicile, affirmation, achievement, and transfer. The implementation of SPMB varies by region. However, the registration schedule for each pathway is conducted in stages from May to July 2026.

Ubaid said 187 of the 301 complaints concerned the domicile pathway. The most common reports involved address manipulation, falsification of Family Cards, discrepancies in coordinate points, and changes of domicile just before registration. “There were also allegations of using relatives’ addresses or fictitious addresses so that prospective students could enter specific schools,” he said.

JPPI received 69 complaints regarding the achievement pathway. Several of these complaints concerned inconsistent achievement assessment standards between regions, alleged grade inflation, differing interpretations of academic and non-academic achievements, and weak certificate verification. “There were also allegations of achievement document forgery,” he said.

Furthermore, JPPI received 33 complaints in the affirmation pathway. The most reported problems related to the validity of beneficiary family data, inaccurate targeting, and alleged misuse of economic status. Other findings included weak verification of prospective students from poor, vulnerable, or priority groups.

Lastly, JPPI received 12 complaints regarding the transfer pathway. These complaints were related to parental job transfer letters and administrative transfers that did not comply with regulations. Other findings concerned the use of the transfer pathway as a backdoor to enter specific schools.

Ubaid said the data shows that almost all admission pathways have loopholes for manipulation. According to Ubaid, the root of the problem lies in a student admission system that is still built on the scarcity of places in quality schools. Ubaid also assessed that the implementation of the 2026 SPMB is no different from previous years. “It still uses a selection, competition, or scramble for seats system. This year, it is also exacerbated by regulations in various regions that differ. This is certainly confusing for parents and students,” he said.

Tempo has confirmed this matter with the Vice Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Fajar Riza. However, he has not yet responded. On Tuesday, 7 April 2026, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, ensured that the 2026 SPMB prioritises the principles of inclusivity and justice to expand access to education for all students in various regions of Indonesia. “SPMB is a new student admission system, not a new student selection. Because it is a system, we strive for all students to have the opportunity to learn, not only in public schools but also in private schools,” said Abdul Mu’ti at SMPN 1 Surabaya, East Java, as quoted by Antara. The government hopes that the 2026 SPMB will not only be a student admission mechanism but also an instrument to realise wider and more equitable access to education.