Palu Education Agency Guarantees All Primary School Leavers Can Enter Junior High: Capacity Secure, No Reason to Drop Out

The Palu City Education and Culture Agency (Disdikbud) has moved quickly to address the issue of out-of-school children. Agency Head Hardi provided a full guarantee that all primary school leavers for the 2026 academic year in the region will be able to continue their education to the junior high school level. Hardi stressed that limited school capacity is no longer a reason for children in Palu to drop out. “In Palu City, I can assure you that no child who graduates from primary school will be out of school,” Hardi stated in Palu on Friday (3/7). Based on Disdikbud data, the total number of primary school graduates this year reached 5,919 students. Meanwhile, the capacity in state junior high schools is recorded at 5,656 seats. Although there is a difference of 263 students not accommodated by state schools, Hardi is optimistic that the private sector is ready to be the solution, especially since the capacity of private junior high schools in Palu is quantitatively on par with state schools. According to the former head of SMPN 1 Palu, the real challenge on the ground is not a lack of quotas, but rather a mindset among the public that remains trapped in the ‘favourite school’ phenomenon. Hardi urged parents not to fixate on just one or two schools, as the quality of education in Palu City is now evenly distributed. The local government has placed competent school principals with strong leadership, innovation, and creativity skills across all corners of the city. As concrete evidence, schools that were once quiet, such as SMPN 6, SMPN 8, and SMPN 9, are now flooded with hundreds of new registrants. Furthermore, the 2025 Education Report Card shows that suburban schools like SMP Madani and SMPN 6 have successfully achieved recognition and secured quality improvement grants. Hardi invited parents not to hesitate to enrol their children in the nearest school. “Wherever a child is enrolled, as long as they have a strong will to learn, they will receive quality educational services and develop according to their potential,” Hardi concluded.