Riau Provincial Government Issues Circular Banning Schools from Selling Uniforms

The Riau Education Department (Disdik) has issued a circular banning all state and private Senior High Schools (SMA), Vocational High Schools (SMK), and Special Needs Schools (SLB) from selling, providing, or requiring students to purchase uniforms through the school or specific suppliers.

Head of Disdik Riau, Erisman Yahya, stated that the circular was issued as a follow-up to the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation Number 50 of 2022 concerning School Uniforms for Primary and Secondary Education Students.

“We emphasise that schools are not permitted to sell, provide, or oblige parents to buy uniforms through the school or certain providers. Parents have the freedom to purchase or make their own school uniforms in accordance with applicable regulations,” he said in Pekanbaru on Friday.

The policy is outlined in Circular Letter (SE) Number 8/DISDIK/2026 concerning School Uniforms in SMA, SMK, and SLB Education Units. Its purpose is to give parents flexibility in meeting their children’s school uniform needs without any obligation to buy from a particular party.

“The procurement of school uniforms is the responsibility of the parents or guardians of the students. However, the government and the community can assist, especially for economically disadvantaged students,” he said.

In addition to prohibiting the practice of selling uniforms by schools, Disdik Riau also reminded education units not to require students to buy new uniforms every time they move up a grade or during new student admissions. This measure was taken to prevent additional costs that could potentially burden parents, especially at the beginning of the school year when children’s educational needs typically increase.