Ministry: School revitalisation boosts SPMB applicants in Balikpapan

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has stated that the revitalisation of educational units has successfully increased the number of applicants for the New Student Admission System (SPMB) while also providing economic benefits for residents around schools in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan Province.

Vice Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen) Fajar Riza Ul Haq said in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday that the Educational Unit Revitalisation Programme, which has been, is being, and will be implemented in Balikpapan, is not merely about providing new classrooms or repairing ageing school buildings.

More than that, he emphasised that the programme is a long-term investment to build the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. “Human development must begin with the availability of a safe, comfortable, proper, and quality learning environment. Therefore, school revitalisation is an important part of efforts to provide education that can offer the best learning opportunities for every Indonesian child,” Fajar said.

The addition of facilities has increased the school’s capacity, enabling it to accept more students in this year’s SPMB. “This year we experienced an increase in quota because our classrooms have grown. Last year we only opened for 86 students, thank God this year we still have three classes but the quota has increased to 96 students. So now the entire quota has been fulfilled,” said Rinawati, Head of SMP PGRI 2 Balikpapan.

A teacher at SMP PGRI 2 Balikpapan, Irma Yanti, also assessed that the change in facilities has increased public trust in the school. “The impact has been very significant with the revitalisation, because it benefits our students. The classrooms, which were previously few, have increased. Because the classrooms are new, the situation is comfortable and conducive. Perhaps learning will be more effective with comfortable classrooms,” she said.

The school’s head, Heldyana, expressed hope that the new library would not become a magnificent monument that is merely beautiful to look at, but rather the living, beating heart of the school, a space that shapes character, sharpens creativity, and broadens the horizons of the younger generation.

In addition to increasing the number of SPMB applicants, Larisa, a clean water provider operating near SMP PGRI 2 Balikpapan, said that demand for water increased from the construction process through to after the building was occupied. “I am very grateful. During the construction yesterday, I delivered water several times for the new building. Even now, if the school needs water, I still supply SMP PGRI 2,” she said.