Ombudsman Uncovers Numerous Illegal Levy Practices in SPMB in Central Java

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG – The Head of the Ombudsman Representative for Central Java (Jateng), Siti Farida, has revealed that her office continues to receive frequent reports of illegal levies (pungli) at primary (SD) and junior secondary (SMP) educational institutions in Central Java. These complaints include those related to the new student admission process (PPDB).

“We still receive reports from districts and cities regarding education at the SMP and SD levels. So, levies for uniforms, levies for LKS or books. These are still recurring complaints even if they are called donations,” Farida stated after attending the Kick Off Meeting for SPMB Supervision at One Front HK, Semarang City, on Tuesday (12/5/2026).

She disclosed that in 2025, the Central Java Ombudsman received 129 complaints. Of these, 59 were related to the implementation of PPDB, and 26 others concerned pungli at SD and SMP levels. The number of pungli complaints in 2025 actually decreased compared to 2024, which recorded 36 complaints.

Farida stated that public school fees have currently been made free. However, in several SD and SMP schools in Central Java, large levy practices still occur, with the amounts determined by the school side.

“Factually, donations must not have their amounts determined, must not have a set timeframe, must not be demanded from underprivileged students, and must not affect teaching and learning. But in practice, it still happens, and we still have records, for example, donation books. That is very clear evidence that they are still being collected,” said Farida.