Ministry says under-seven pupils can still enter primary school

Jakarta – The Ministry of Education, Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) announced that prospective pupils under the age of seven can still commence primary education provided the pupil is deemed ready to participate in learning. Director-General Gogot Suharwoto of Early Childhood Education, Basic Education, and Non-Formal and Informal Education said the policy on age limits for prospective pupils—especially at the primary level—has been updated via Permendikdasmen Number 3 of 2025 on the New Student Admission System (SPMB). ‘So for the SD SPMB there is an age exception, but there is a caveat. The key is that the child is ready to participate in learning at primary school,’ he said after the signing of the Ramah SPMB Commitment at Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Building A, Kemendikdasmen, Central Jakarta.

More precisely, he explained that prospective pupils entering primary education with ages from six up to a minimum of five years six months by 1 July of the current year must possess intelligence and/or exceptional talent as well as psychological readiness. ‘So there must be a letter confirming that the child is indeed ready. From whom? From the expert— a trusted local psychologist who surely has the authority or knows who can approve entry, and then can be accepted into the school. So age does not have to be seven years,’ he said.

Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Himmatul Aliyah, at the same event, expressed appreciation for the updated age limit for primary education. She noted that the public had protested because some children stopped schooling after being refused admission on grounds of age. ‘Regarding pupil age, if I’m not mistaken the Minister has already provided leniency; age no longer has to be seven years. We are grateful and commend the policy on age,’ she stated. In the latest revised text, the commission has confirmed that age is no longer an obstacle for pupils to enter school. ‘In the draft law under revision, it is also confirmed that age is no longer a barrier for them to enter the education environment.’