Students Protest High Tuition Fees: Higher Education Becomes a Luxury Item

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The commemoration of National Education Day (Hardiknas) was marked by a protest rally by student masses in front of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) building, Jalan Pintu Satu Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday (4/5/2026).

In their action, the masses highlighted the high cost of tuition, which makes higher education increasingly difficult to access for middle- and lower-class communities.

Clarisa (21), one of the protesting students, assessed that the current Single Tuition Fee (UKT) system has not been able to resolve the problem of inequality in access to education.

She spotlighted the large entry fees for State Universities (PTN).

Particularly through the independent pathway, which often dashes the hopes of academically accomplished prospective students.

Although there is UKT subsidisation, it only covers a portion of the costs.

“Even at various state campuses, many majors have entry fees from the independent pathway, with upfront payments reaching Rp 50 million,” Clarisa said.

The high costs that must be paid cause many students with academic ability to be unable to continue their studies because they cannot afford the UKT or upfront payments.

“Meanwhile today, the education budget is not optimal because it is cut and prioritised for other things, such as free school lunches and various efficiencies,” Clarisa said.

“We feel there is budget discrimination. For us at PTN, UKT keeps rising. But other ministries can fund their students to study for free, get pocket money, free dormitories, and employment contracts,” said Daffa.

He called on the government to immediately carry out equitable distribution of education subsidies so that the burden on campuses is not passed on to students.

“Don’t let the budget be exhausted just for civil service academies, while PTN students have to pay UKT using online loans,” he stated.

Previously reported, students from various campuses and organisations held a protest rally in front of the Kemdiktisaintek building, Gelora, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Monday (4/5/2026).