Kemendikdasmen: 53 regional governments help subsidise private schools

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Education, Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) stated that as many as 53 regional governments are prepared to provide education cost assistance for students entering private schools through the New Student Admission System (SPMB) scheme for the 2026/2027 academic year. Gogot Suharwoto, Director-General of Early Childhood Education, Basic Education, and Non-Formal and Informal Education at Kemendikdasmen, said the provision of such assistance is an effort jointly by the ministry and the regional governments to ensure that all children continue to receive formal education services, including those from less-advantaged backgrounds and those not admitted to public schools. Furthermore, he explained that the 2026 SPMB will involve not only government-run education units (state schools) but also education units run by the community (private schools) that are willing to participate in the SPMB scheme. In relation to this, he said private schools offer a number of teaching groups (rombel) that will be included in the SPMB, while other rombel will continue to admit students independently. “Private schools are voluntary. They offer how many rombel they wish to participate in the SPMB together,” Gogot added. Private schools participating in the SPMB, he said, will subsequently receive per-student education funding from the regional government, the amount of which is the agreement between the local government and the private school. “If a student is not accepted at a public school, a prospective pupil can enter a private school with the help of the regional government,” he said. For information, Kemendikdasmen signed a joint commitment with 15 ministries and agencies to support the Ramah SPMB 2026/2027 in an objective, transparent, accountable, fair, and non-discriminatory manner. The 15 parties are: Komisi X of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Komite III of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Education, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Attorney General’s Office, Indonesian National Police (POLRI), Presidential Staff Office, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Badan Komunikasi RI, Ombudsman RI, the Commission for Child Protection (KPAI), and the National Disability Commission.