Public High School in Mataram Charges Fees for Students Seeking Graduation Certificates
One public senior high school (SMAN) in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has been charging money from students who wish to obtain graduation certificates (SKL). This maladministration was discovered by the Ombudsman of Indonesia’s NTB Representative after following up on public reports.
Assistant Ombudsman of Indonesia’s NTB Representative, Sahabudin, along with the inspection team, directly visited the location to conduct checks. Upon arriving at the school, the Ombudsman found several students gathered in one corner of the room where there was a service counter.
“Previously, this public high school had been reported by residents for alleged maladministration where the school did not provide students with online exam passwords on the grounds that committee fees had not been paid,” said Sahabudin in his statement on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
From direct interviews with the students, information was obtained that they were making committee fee payments as a requirement to obtain the SKL. Several students were also seen carrying a blue card labelled “Committee Fundraising Card.”
Sahabudin immediately coordinated with the school principal. The principal admitted to being surprised by the incident and expressed apologies. The school then promptly made an announcement that obtaining the SKL does not require payment of committee contributions or settlement of other fees.
In fact, under Government Regulation (PP) Number 48 of 2008 on Education Funding, funds sourced from students or parents/guardians must not be linked to academic requirements, including the condition for obtaining the SKL.
Moreover, under the Minister of Education and Culture Regulation (Permendikbud) Number 75 of 2016 on School Committees, contributions are voluntary and neither the type nor the amount is specified. These voluntary contributions are also the domain of the committee, not the school.
“If it’s BPP, it’s currently under moratorium as of 1 July 2025 based on the Circular of the Head of the Education and Culture Office Number 400.3/5565.KEU/Dikbud/2025, followed by the NTB Governor’s Circular No. 100.3.4/7795/Dikbud/2025 dated 17 September 2025, so schools also cannot collect BPP,” emphasised Sahabudin.
Sahabudin stated that the Ombudsman will soon coordinate with the NTB Education, Youth, and Sports Office (Disdikpora) to ensure such incidents do not recur, especially ahead of the diploma issuance process, which is seen as potentially prone to similar practices.
“The Ombudsman hopes that all educational units comply with the established provisions and do not use students’ rights as leverage for levies,” emphasised Sahabudin.