Regrouping of Three State Primary Schools in Tabanan Targeted for Completion in July

The Tabanan District Education Office plans to carry out the regrouping or merger of three state primary schools (SD) this year. The regrouping process is currently underway and is targeted to be completed at the start of the new academic year in July 2026. The three schools to be merged are SDN 2 Sembung Gede with SDN 1 Sembung Gede (Kerambitan Subdistrict), SDN 1 Selabih with SDN 2 Selabih (West Selemadeg), and SDN 2 Tegal Mengkeb with SDN 1 Tegal Mengkeb (East Selemadeg). For SDN 2 Sembung Gede in particular, besides the low number of students, the school’s building condition is concerning as one classroom on the southern side has collapsed. The collapsed building will not be repaired because the school will be merged with SDN 1 Sembung Gede. The Head of the Primary School Division of the Tabanan Education Office, I Made Sukanitera, stated that the regrouping plan for these schools has received approval from the respective perbekel or village heads. Currently, the Education Office is preparing the relevant decree (SK) for the school merger. “We are now at the stage of preparing the SK. If there are no obstacles, the merger will begin in the new academic year in July 2026,” said Sukanitera. Sukanitera explained that the regrouping is being carried out based on various considerations. One of them is the very low number of students in those schools, even below 60 for all grades. Another consideration is the status of the school land, which stands on customary-owned land. “One of them is SDN 1 Selabih,” he said. According to Sukanitera, this condition becomes an obstacle when applying for school repair assistance from the central government. He stated that one of the requirements for applying for repair assistance is to attach a land ownership certificate in the name of regional government assets. Sukanitera explained that certainty of land status is important to avoid potential problems in the future. “If applying for repairs, a certificate must be included. If it is not regional assets, it automatically does not meet the requirements,” he added. He further noted that the regrouping process is carried out gradually while still conducting socialisation to the community. However, Sukanitera acknowledged that the regrouping could be opposed by parents due to increased school distances. On the other hand, Sukanitera views this school regrouping as aimed at maximising the teaching and learning process because the needs for educators, classrooms, and school facilities will be more optimal. From a budgetary perspective, he continued, this regrouping policy is also more efficient. Moreover, an ideal number of students in one school is believed to create a more conducive learning environment. “With a sufficient number of students, social interactions and the learning process will be more vibrant,” Sukanitera concluded.