Schools in Mataram with Low New Student Enrolment Risk Losing BOS Funds

The recently concluded New Student Admission System (SPMB) has left several schools in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), facing a serious problem. Schools with very low student enrolment are now threatened with the inability to disburse School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds. According to regulations, the main requirement for BOS fund disbursement mandates a minimum quota of 32 students per study group. The reality on the ground shows that student numbers in some schools fall far short of this target. “The standard is 20 students per class, but the lowest standard is 32 students per class,” said the Head of the Mataram Education Office, Yusuf, during an interview on Thursday (23/7/2026). For instance, State Junior High School (SMPN) 18 Mataram only managed to recruit 13 students for the 2026/2027 academic year. As a result, the school is threatened with failing to meet the threshold to receive government assistance through BOS funds. Yusuf confirmed that his office is currently seeking solutions for schools with minimal new student enrolment that are at risk of not being able to disburse BOS funds. “This is currently our discussion, whether (this school) will be merged into SMPN 3 Mataram or not,” he explained. It was previously reported that SMPN 18 Mataram only accepted 15 new students during the 2026/2027 SPMB. “From the affirmation pathway, there were 7 students who registered, 6 from the domicile pathway, and 2 from the achievement pathway. The affirmation pathway dominated,” said the Vice Principal for General Affairs of SMPN 18 Mataram, Adi Sanjaya, in an earlier interview.