New Rules for Entering Primary School: Children Under 7 May Enrol, Here Are the Requirements

Thu, 21 May 2026, 16:24 WIB | By Putri Rosmalia | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Regulation

The Ministry of Education, Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has provided flexibility concerning the rules on the age of entry to Primary School (SD). Prospective pupils aged under 7 may still register and begin primary education, provided they are declared ready mentally and psychologically to participate in learning activities.

Director General for Early Childhood Education, Basic Education, and Non-Formal and Informal Education of Kemendikdasmen, Gogot Suharwoto, explained that the policy on the entry age for primary school is set out in Permendikdasmen Number 3 of 2025 on the System for New Student Admissions (SPMB).

“Therefore, for SD SPMB there is an age exception for the child, but there are conditions. The key is that the child is ready to participate in SD learning,” Gogot said at the Signing of the Friendly SPMB Commitment in Jakarta, Thursday (21/5/2026).

Although the ideal age to enter SD is 7 years old, the latest policy allows younger children to enter school under the following provisions:

Gogot emphasised that readiness cannot be claimed unilaterally by parents, but must be proven with official documents.

“There must be a letter stating that this child is indeed ready. From whom? From an expert, a trusted psychologist in the local area who has the authority to validate. So age 7 is not mandatory,” he added.

This policy aims to ensure that no child misses the opportunity to learn simply because of administrative age barriers, as long as they are cognitively and psychologically capable of undertaking formal education.

The policy has received positive appreciation from the legislature. Deputy Chair of Commission X of the DPR RI, Himmatul Aliyah, said that the relaxation of age rules is a response to public protests that children were previously rejected from schools due to age.

“We thank and appreciate this policy. Regarding the age of students, the Minister has granted leniency so that age is no longer an absolute barrier,” said Himmatul.

Furthermore, Himmatul revealed that the point about age flexibility has also been included in the discussion of the National Education System Bill (RUU Sisdiknas). In the latest draft revision, Parliament is committed to consolidating rules so that age no longer prevents Indonesian children from obtaining a decent education.

(Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, said that education is the hope of every family in Indonesia.)

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