KPK Reveals Extortion and Gratification Persist in New Student Admissions

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has stated that, according to the 2024 Education Integrity Assessment (SPI) survey, illegal levies (pungli) still occur in 28 per cent of new student admission processes. Furthermore, 10 per cent of respondents admitted to being aware of rewards being given to certain parties during the implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB).

Dian Novianthi, Director of the KPK Education Network, explained that these findings serve as a reminder that integrity challenges in the education sector still require serious attention from all parties. This data also serves as a basis for the KPK to issue Circular Letter Number 7 of 2026 regarding Corruption Prevention and Gratification Control in the Implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB).

“The SPMB is the first gateway to education. If fraud occurs from the very beginning, the values we aim to build through education could be eroded, including the anti-corruption culture,” she stated in a briefing on Sunday, 7 June 2026.

Dian revealed that the practice of illegal levies and the provision of rewards not only harms those following the rules but also has the potential to foster further corrupt behaviour and conflicts of interest. “How can we expect children to grow into individuals of integrity if the initial process they witness is full of fraud? Do not let fraud become the foundation of education,” she said.

In addition to illegal levies, the 2024 SPI survey data also found that the normalisation of gratification has reached 30 per cent, with educators regarding the practice as commonplace. Meanwhile, 65 per cent of respondents noted that parents still frequently give gifts or tokens to teachers or educators during festive seasons or school promotions.

“These findings show that part of society still views gift-giving as something natural,” said Dian. “If not managed properly, these practices can evolve into forms of conflict of interest, more serious abuse of authority, and even create opportunities for criminal acts.”

Consequently, the KPK is calling on all stakeholders in the education sector—ranging from local governments and educational units to educators, parents, and the wider community—to work together to safeguard the integrity of the SPMB implementation.