MPLS Duration Extended, New Students to Undergo Five-Day School Orientation

The School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) for the 2026/2027 academic year will last five days. This new provision is regulated in the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Regulation (Permendikdasmen) Number 12 of 2026 concerning MPLS. The duration is longer than the previous regulation in Permendikbud Number 18 of 2016, which stipulated a three-day implementation period.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Secondary Education (Sesditjen PAUD Dasmen), Eko Susanto, stated that the extended duration is one of four fundamental changes in this year’s MPLS implementation. “In the provisions of Permendikdasmen Number 12 of 2026, we have regulated that the implementation will be five days,” Eko said during an online webinar on Monday (22/6/2026).

However, the duration can be adjusted for boarding schools, Special Needs Schools (SLB), and special service education units. Details of the implementation set by schools must be reported to the local Education Office or the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

Schools are allowed to involve student council (OSIS) or MPK members in the MPLS committee for junior and senior high school levels, provided they meet specific requirements. “OSIS or MPK members involved in assisting the committee must primarily have good character and no history of violence to ensure the implementation remains safe and positive,” Eko explained.

According to Permendikdasmen 12/2026, the requirements for student involvement are that they must be OSIS board members, MPK members, or extracurricular organisation board members, and they must not have tendencies towards bad character or a history as perpetrators of violence (bullying). If a school does not yet have an OSIS, MPK, or extracurricular organisation, students may still assist provided they have academic or non-academic achievements and good interpersonal skills.

Ahead of the implementation, the committee is required to prepare a programme to be approved by the Head of School. The MPLS programme must include the activities, detailed implementation such as schedules and material delivery methods, the budget, and other related matters. Schools can prepare the programme based on guidelines available on the MPLS Ramah page.