Pacitan Education Agency Maps Decline in New Student Enrolment at State Primary Schools
The Education Office of Pacitan Regency, East Java, is currently carrying out intensive mapping of the phenomenon of declining numbers of new pupils at a number of state schools. The step is being taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the provision of basic education in the region.
Wahyono, Head of the Primary School Division at the Pacitan Education Office, revealed that the shrinking number of new pupils has now begun to reach schools in urban areas. For the 2026/2027 academic year, two schools in Pacitan District recorded only one new pupil each.
“Pupil intake is indeed getting smaller. However, we still hope that in the years ahead the number of children of primary school age will remain available so that schools can still accept new pupils,” said Wahyono on Wednesday (15 July).
Wahyono specified that the two schools accepting only one new pupil each were SD Negeri 1 Sedeng and SD Negeri 1 Sambong, both located in Pacitan District.
Despite the very small pupil numbers, the Education Office assured that pupils’ right to receive educational services would not be diminished. “They will still receive the same educational services as other schools,” he asserted.
According to the initial analysis, the low number of new pupils is not caused by declining school quality or facilities. Wahyono explained that the main factor is the shrinking population of school-age children in these areas.
This phenomenon is not limited to the two schools concerned. The Education Office recorded that a number of other state primary schools are experiencing a similar trend, each accepting fewer than 10 new pupils this academic year.
Regarding school operations, Wahyono assured that the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) activities and the teaching and learning process continue to run normally. There is no difference in treatment, whether in terms of teaching staff support or the provision of learning facilities.
“By the third day, the MPLS has been running smoothly. There have been no obstacles from pupils, parents, or teachers,” he added. The MPLS in Pacitan is scheduled to run for a minimum of three days and can be extended to five days according to the needs of each school.