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.