NTT Ombudsman and KPK map out problems in the education sector
Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur (ANTARA) - The RI Ombudsman Office for the Nusa Tenggara Timur Representative (NTT) together with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has mapped a range of educational issues, focusing on the implementation of the Selective Admission for New Students (SPMB) for the 2026/2027 academic year, including fundraising practices and procedural violations that continue to recur in several schools.
Acting Head of the RI Ombudsman Office for NTT, Philipus Max Jemadu, in Kupang on Thursday, said that public service complaints in the education sector remain dominated by recurring, systemic issues, particularly concerning fundraising practices within schools.
“The Ombudsman has carried out various efforts, from studies and resolving public reports to coordinating with relevant agencies. However, non-compliance with regulations relating to fundraising for education continues to recur,” he said.
He stated this during a meeting with the Task Force of the Directorate for Regional Supervisory Coordination, Region V, KPK, regarding anti-corruption efforts in the services for the New Student Admission (SPMB) for the 2026/2027 academic year.
He explained that the fundraising complained about by the public is not always in the form of official fees. Funds are often framed as donations, but in practice are mandatory due to pressure, deadlines for payment, and threats of sanctions such as bans on taking exams or withholding diplomas for students who have not paid.
According to Max, this approach is considered effective because most reports can be resolved quickly.
Meanwhile, Alberth Roy Kota, Head of the Ombudsman RI NTT’s Office of Prevention of Maladministration, said that, based on monitoring results, various issues were found in the SPMB process, such as violations of technical guidelines, zonal interference by officials, difficulties in using online applications, and alleged manipulation of administrative requirements.
“The fundraising occurs most frequently at the re-registration stage, with varying amounts demanded. It even reaches millions of rupiah with diverse components, ranging from entrance test fees to other charges that should not be borne by students,” he said.
He added that the NTT Provincial Government has issued Governor Regulation Number 53 of 2025 on Education Financing as a follow-up to the long-standing fundraising complaints raised by the public. The policy is viewed as a step to improve governance of secondary education services, and information indicates that some secondary-level students meeting certain criteria are no longer charged fundraising.
Meanwhile, Roady Robby, Head of the KPK RI Prevention Task Force, said the coordination was undertaken to map trends in public-service complaints received by the RI Ombudsman NTT representative, as well as to observe patterns in the resolution of public reports, particularly in the education sector.
According to him, the education sector warrants close attention ahead of the SPMB implementation to prevent illicit fundraising and other issues, especially in popular schools.
“This is being undertaken to ensure the 2026 SPMB implementation proceeds in a fair and transparent manner,” he said.