South Sulawesi Education Agency Pressed to Resolve Controversy Over 326 Principals' Resignations

The South Sulawesi Education Agency (Disdik) is being pressed to resolve the controversy surrounding the planned resignation of 326 school principals, following allegations of a directive for them to step down ahead of the 2026/2027 new student intake. “We recommend that the signing of resignation letters by the principals be halted. We ask the Head of the Education Agency to discuss this matter properly, so as not to cause ripples or negative perceptions regarding the alleged coercion of principals to resign,” said Andi Tenri Indah, Chair of Commission E of the South Sulawesi DPRD, in Makassar on Friday. During a hearing at the DPRD’s temporary office on Jalan Andi Pangeran Pettarani, it was revealed that the alleged instruction to resign targeted senior high school (SMA) and vocational high school (SMK) principals. In the first phase, 128 principals were asked to resign, followed by 198 in the second phase, bringing the total to 326. The policy was reportedly triggered by findings from the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) regarding alleged mismanagement of School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds at several state senior high schools in South Sulawesi. In total, there are 1,532 SMA and SMK schools across the province. However, the BPK actually recommended that the findings be resolved through a mechanism of returning the funds. This recommendation has been followed up and settled by the principals concerned. The commission argued that since the administrative errors have been corrected and the BOS funds returned in accordance with the BPK’s recommendation, the Education Agency must find the best solution without disadvantaging any party. It assessed that mass resignation is not a solution and requested that the agency immediately report the developments to the Governor. Meanwhile, Head of the South Sulawesi Education Agency, Iqbal Najamuddin, explained during the hearing that any civil servant (ASN) suspected of a violation must still undergo an examination by the Inspectorate. However, he stressed that the results of the examination do not always lead to legal proceedings if the matter can be resolved through administrative correction. Iqbal added that, based on Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Regulation Number 7 of 2025 concerning the assignment of teachers as principals, alleged violations categorised as abuse of authority could potentially constitute a serious offence. Under the regulation, there are three grounds for dismissing a principal: death, serious violation, or resignation. “Approval for the resignation letters has not yet been issued. The mechanism for principals is regulated by ministerial regulation, as the position is an additional assignment. Evaluations from the Education Agency, the Inspectorate, and the Regional Civil Service Agency (BKD) are still ongoing. There are indeed performance and integrity targets that have not been met. If dismissed for a serious violation, there will certainly be a negative record, but if one resigns voluntarily, there is no record,” said Iqbal.