PDIP West Java DPRD Demands Thorough Evaluation of 2026 SPMB

Bandung (ANTARA) - The PDI Perjuangan faction of the West Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) is urging a comprehensive evaluation of the 2026 Student Admissions System (SPMB) after identifying at least nine crucial issues, including the controversy surrounding the ‘Sekolah Maung’ Programme and the implementation of the domicile-based pathway.

“A comprehensive evaluation is essential to ensure that the student admission process is transparent, fair, and accountable, while providing legal certainty and a sense of justice for the community,” said the Chairperson of the PDIP Faction of the West Java DPRD, Ineu Purwadewi Sundari, in a statement in Bandung on Wednesday.

Ineu stated that one of the primary concerns is the ‘Sekolah Maung’ Programme, which was launched without adequate socialisation and possesses unclear criteria. According to her, this policy has the potential to create perceptions of discrimination between public schools, as it is seen as reviving the concept of ‘superior schools’ that had been abolished under national regulations.

Furthermore, the implementation of the domicile-based pathway continues to present problems. The PDIP faction reported finding cases where prospective students living near a school were not admitted, while those residing further away successfully passed the selection process.

“We request an explanation regarding this programme. There should be a study, planning, and evaluation of the SPMB implementation every year, including the readiness of supporting budgets,” said Ineu.

According to Ineu, the West Java Provincial Government needs to guarantee educational funding for students from underprivileged families admitted through the programme to ensure no additional burden is placed on parents.

In response to these various issues, the PDIP Faction of the West Java DPRD reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the implementation of the 2026 SPMB and various regional educational policies. “We will continue to oversee the entire implementation of the 2026 SPMB and every educational policy in West Java to ensure it operates transparently, fairly, and truly provides equal opportunities for every child to obtain a proper education without discrimination,” concluded Ineu.