Teachers in 3T Regions Face Various Challenges in New Student Admission System
Teachers and schools in the underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions of West Nusa Tenggara are facing various challenges ahead of the implementation of the 2026 New Student Admission System (SPMB). In addition to limited access and administrative constraints, teachers must also personally assist communities that do not yet understand the new student registration mechanisms.
For instance, Yan Aryani, a teacher at SDN Tangkampulit, revealed that many parents in 3T areas still require assistance regarding the completion of documents and understanding student admission pathways. Consequently, teachers are not only responsible for teaching but are also actively helping with the SPMB administrative process.
“In 3T areas, the role of the teacher becomes very important because there are still community members who require direct assistance regarding SPMB information and administration,” said Yan, as quoted from an official statement by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on Monday, 18 May 2026.
According to Yan, a number of guardians also face difficulties understanding document requirements and selection stages. This situation necessitates that schools strengthen communication with the community to prevent misunderstandings during the admission process.
Similar challenges are faced by SDN 1 Puncak Jeringo in East Lombok Regency. Headmaster Agus Setiawan stated that the school must implement a proactive ‘door-to-door’ strategy, visiting the homes of prospective school-aged students to provide socialisation. “We are taking this step to ensure the community receives clear information about school programmes,” said Agus.
He noted that internal school coordination also presents a challenge, as schools must distribute teaching duties ranging from forming committees and verifying documents to community outreach. This is particularly complex as the school operates within a single-roof primary and junior high school environment and plans to open a single-roof early childhood education (PAUD) service.
Meanwhile, Marwah, a teacher at SDN 1 Puncak Jeringo, noted that another challenge for schools in 3T regions is the competition between schools to attract new students. “The community response is quite good because registration in our area is more transparent. However, we also face competition within the 3T region,” said Marwah.
Amidst these challenges, the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government has requested all schools to conduct the SPMB objectively and free from illegal levies. The Head of the West Nusa Tenggara Department of Education, Youth, and Sports, Syamsul Hadi, emphasised that the entire SPMB process must be carried out transparently and be accountable to the public.