No Free Uniforms for New Students in Klungkung

Parents of new students in Klungkung, Bali, will have to pay for school uniforms out of their own pockets this year. The Klungkung Education, Youth, and Sports Office (Disdikpora) has confirmed that a free uniform programme for new students cannot be realised due to budget constraints. “So the current situation is that we are not yet able, like Badung for example, to facilitate uniforms for new students,” said I Wayan Sarjana, Head of Basic Education at Disdikpora Klungkung, on Tuesday (7/7/2026). Disdikpora Klungkung has warned schools not to exploit this situation for profit. Schools are strictly prohibited from selling uniforms, including directing parents to purchase from specific shops. Sarjana clarified that schools, teachers, and committees do not have the authority to conduct uniform business within the educational unit. “We have conveyed that schools are prohibited from selling uniforms. Likewise, directing parents to specific shops. Because these uniforms can be bought anywhere. Let parents find where they want to buy according to their own financial capabilities,” Sarjana explained. Sarjana stated that the ban on schools selling uniforms is in accordance with the Minister of Education and Culture Regulation (Permendikbud) Number 50 of 2022 concerning School Uniform Attire. Sarjana reminded that strict action will be taken against schools that dare to play cat and mouse by acting as uniform brokers. Sarjana added that this prohibition aims to anticipate monopolistic practices or illegal levies under the guise of procuring school clothing. These practices are often complained about by the public when the new school year begins. The Klungkung Disdikpora requests that the procurement of clothing, such as national uniforms (white-red/white-blue) and scout uniforms, be left entirely to the free market mechanism without any intervention from the school. However, sports uniforms are usually facilitated by the school and are an exception because they are specific to the school’s identity. Students’ sports attire typically matches the school’s colours and model, and features the school logo.