Makassar City Government to Fund 67 Private Schools for Students Who Fail SPMB 2026
The Makassar City Government in South Sulawesi has issued a strategic education policy by preparing a free school programme across 67 private schools. This programme is specifically intended for students who fail the 2026 New Student Admission Selection (SPMB) for state schools.
Mayor of Makassar, Munafri Arifuddin, stressed that this measure represents the state’s presence in guaranteeing the right to education for children in Makassar, particularly given the limited capacity of state schools, which has become an annual problem. The man familiarly known as Appi is committed to ensuring that no child in Makassar drops out of school simply because they failed to enter a state school. "All education costs for students redirected to private schools will be borne by the Makassar City Government," he asserted on Sunday (28/6/2026).
Based on field data, thousands of students in Makassar fail to enter state schools each year due to the imbalance between the number of applicants and available places. This year, the domicile pathway was open from 22 to 26 June, with the selection results announced on 27 June 2026. This free private school policy serves as a concrete solution for parents and students.
"We want private schools to grow as well. Children who are not accommodated in state schools will be distributed to private ones, including Muhammadiyah schools," Munafri added. By partnering with 67 private schools, the Makassar City Government seeks to strengthen the private education ecosystem as a strategic partner in the city’s development.
Munafri emphasised the importance of eradicating the stigma that private schools are a second choice or a dumping ground for students who fail to enter state institutions. He is determined to eliminate the quality dichotomy between state and private schools in his jurisdiction. "We want there to be no more differences in the quality of education in Makassar City. All children must receive equal services, wherever they attend school," he said. In this regard, he urged private schools, including those under the Muhammadiyah umbrella, to continue strengthening their facilities, infrastructure, and the quality of their teaching staff.
Beyond accessibility, Munafri also highlighted the challenge of a character crisis among the younger generation in the digital era. He expressed concern about children’s dependence on gadgets, which he believes erodes social interaction and moral values. "It is pointless to have intelligent children if they lack good morals. Character education must begin at home and be reinforced at school," he stated.
As a concrete step, the Makassar City Government is beginning to limit the use of gadgets within the school environment. Furthermore, starting this year, the allocation for religious and moral education lessons in the primary education curriculum will be increased. "An allocation of two hours of religious lessons per week is not enough. We need to strengthen morals from an early age," he concluded.