State universities to hold entrance test twice a year

State universities to hold entrance test twice a year

Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a bid to offer the public greater opportunities to enter
state universities, the Ministry of Education is planning to
issue a decree allowing entrance exams to be taken twice a year,
while scrapping age limits for admission.

Under the proposal, those hoping to study at state-run
universities can take the entrance tests, popularly known as
UMPTN, for classes starting either in September, as is the case
now, or January.

Those who fail the entrance tests for September admissions,
which are currently taken in July, may take later examinations
for classes to start in January. Students who begin studies in
January, meanwhile, will have the same subjects taken by those
entering in September in the first semester.

"The goal is to provide the public with greater opportunity to
pursue higher education," Education Minister Abdul Malik Fajar
told reporters on Wednesday.

Currently, all classes at state-run universities start in
September only.

The ruling will also end the age limit for entering state
universities. Presently, high-school graduates are allowed to
take entrance examinations to state universities four times over
four consecutive years.

Should they fail in the fourth test, however, they lose the
chance to enter state universities altogether.

In theory, the new ruling, expected to take effect this year,
will double the number of students at state universities.

Currently, Indonesia has 52 state-run universities with total
annual accommodation capacity of 76,000, barely 16 percent of
458,351 high school students that graduate every year.

"Parents should no longer be worried if their children do not
pass state university examinations yet," Malik said.

Indonesian parents still prefer to send their children to
state universities rather than pursuing higher education at
private institutions, as the costs are cheaper.

According to Minister Malik, technical matters related to the
new ruling, which will still be discussed with state-owned
university rectors, will be handled by Director General for
Higher Education Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro.

Satryo, meanwhile, said the plan is not yet finalized as it
will still be discussed with state university rectors.

"It is not easy to have two 'academic years' a year. We will
discuss it with state university rectors to see if they are ready
for the change," said Satryo, adding a meeting with the rectors
has been scheduled at the end of January.

He also said that the government would lift the age
requirement to enter state universities.

"There will be no age requirement -- anybody can pursue their
studies in state universities," he said.

Currently, only fresh high-school graduates can take UMPTN and
if they fail the first examination, they may resist the
examination for three times in consecutive years.

Those who wish to pursue studies in state universities, but
beyond the age requirement, usually take up extension programs.

Meanwhile, the executive secretary of central committee
organizing the test Soesmalijah Soewondo, said she could not
reveal what the committee will do in anticipation of the plan.

"I will have to see the minister first, as I don't know
anything about such a plan," Soesmalijah said.