State Schools Start Academic Year with as Few as One New Pupil

Several state schools across Indonesia have commenced the 2026/2027 academic year with a notably low intake of new students, with some institutions recording only one to five new pupils. Despite the small numbers, the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) was still held to welcome the new learners starting Monday (13/7). The MPLS will run for a week before full teaching and learning activities commence for the rest of the academic year. Although student numbers are small, the enthusiasm of teaching staff and the readiness of facilities at many schools are being maintained to provide the best educational services for every registered child. The phenomenon has been recorded in a number of regions, including major urban agglomeration areas such as Semarang and Bandar Lampung.

In Sumatra, SD Negeri 1 Gedung Meneng in Rajabasa District, Bandar Lampung, accepted only two new students for the 2026/2027 academic year. Teacher Rita stated that the school still carried out the full series of MPLS activities just like other schools and provided motivation to the two new pupils so they would not feel awkward starting elementary school. She assured that the new students would receive guidance from teachers and older pupils throughout their learning process. One parent, Andi, expressed confidence in enrolling his daughter at the school, noting her happiness and enthusiasm on the first day.

Meanwhile in Bengkulu, the Education and Culture Office of Rejang Lebong Regency is allowing several schools to continue accepting new students even though the official Student Admission System (SPMB) deadline has passed. Head of the office, Zakaria Efendi, said that out of 241 state primary and junior high schools in the region, several still have low registration numbers and have not met the quota for study groups. He hopes the extended admission period will be used optimally by schools to fill empty class quotas before the Dapodik data system closes in mid-August 2026. Some junior high schools, such as SMPN 30 Rejang Lebong, had only five registrants, while SMPN 40 Rejang Lebong had just two. At the primary level, 13 schools had recorded no new students at all, mostly located in rural areas far from urban centres.

In Java, SDN Purwoyoso 01 in Ngaliyan, Semarang, welcomed only three new students. The school nonetheless held a lively MPLS programme, even bringing in a mascot to boost the children’s spirits. Head of the school, Hajar Riatiani, attributed the low enrolment to demographic conditions, explaining that the surrounding residential area no longer has young families, with most residents being elderly. She also noted that many families have moved to suburban areas like Kaliwungu, Kendal Regency, where subsidised housing is available, as house prices in Semarang have become too expensive. In Magelang, the local education office reported that 24 state primary schools have study group numbers below 50 per cent of capacity, with SDN Cacaban 1 having the lowest intake at just three new students.