One Junior High School Student in Jembrana Fails to Graduate After Never Attending School

The graduation rate for junior high school students in Jembrana Regency, Bali, for the 2025/2026 academic year, fell short of 100 percent. Out of a total of 3,586 ninth-grade students who completed the final stage of their education, 3,585 students passed, achieving a rate of 99.97 percent.

The only student who did not graduate came from SMP Negeri 4 Mendoyo. The decision was made based on the results of a teacher’s meeting at the school.

The Head of the Department of Education, Youth, and Sports (Disdikpora) of Jembrana, I Gusti Putu Anom Saputra, confirmed the information. The decision not to graduate the student was made because the student did not participate in almost all learning activities.

“Based on the report, there is one student at SMP Negeri 4 Mendoyo who did not graduate based on the results of the teacher’s meeting. The consideration was that academically, the student did not complete all learning activities at school,” said Anom when confirmed by detikBali, Wednesday (3/6/2026).

Anom explained that the student had no grades in any subjects because they never attended classes. The school had provided alternative online learning and assignments, but these were ignored.

Not only that, the student’s attendance record was also far below the minimum limit. Over a long period, they were absent from school for more than 90 days.

“The grades for all subjects are zero. Online assignments were not completed. Attendance also did not meet the specified tolerance limit. Furthermore, the summative exam, the Academic Ability Test (TKA), and all evaluation series for graduation were also not attended,” Anom said.

Because they often skipped school and felt insecure due to their laziness, the student requested to transfer to SMP Negeri 4 Mendoyo from SMP Negeri 2 Mendoyo. However, after the transfer was facilitated, their behavior did not change.

“We looked for them at their house several times, and the school also repeatedly tried to approach them, but we never met. We also wanted to make sure if this child was working or not because there was such information,” said Anom.

The confirmation was finally obtained after the Disdikpora team returned to their house and managed to meet directly with the student and their family. The student admitted to doing odd jobs helping with decorations, but it was not a permanent job.

“When we came again and met directly, the child said that they did not want to continue formal education. Their parents also asked to be facilitated into non-formal education, either through a Learning Center (SKB) or a Community Learning Center (PKBM),” said Anom.

Anom also ensured that there was no bullying that made the student reluctant to go to school. Based on the evaluation, the student was simply lazy about attending formal school.

Even though they did not graduate, the Jembrana Disdikpora promised to still facilitate the student to be able to pursue education through non-formal channels or the ‘Kejar Paket’ program.

“The point is that this student did not graduate because they did not participate in all learning activities and did not have the academic grades that are a graduation requirement. However, we still strive to find a solution so that the student can continue their education through non-formal channels,” Anom concluded.