West Java to Open 'Maung' School Admissions Exclusively via Achievement Track
The West Java Provincial Government is set to open the 2026 New Student Admission Selection (SPMB) specifically for the ‘Maung’ (Superior Human) school programme from 25 to 29 May, accepting students exclusively through achievement-based pathways. The West Java Education Office (Disdik) stated that this flagship programme is designed to recruit new students based on both academic and non-academic merits, with a total capacity of 21,000 students.
“On 18 May, we will officially begin the socialisation of the SPMB process in West Java. From 25 to 29 May, we will open admissions for the Maung Schools,” said the Head of the West Java Education Office, Purwanto, in Bandung on Monday.
Purwanto emphasised that the criteria regarding residential proximity or the ‘zoning’ system will no longer apply to the selection process for Maung Schools, as the goal is to transform these institutions into centres of excellence based on merit. “The zoning system will no longer be used. Maung Schools will only utilise achievement tracks, both academic and non-academic. Therefore, please be advised that there will be no zoning system in Maung Schools,” Purwanto stated.
The Governor has designated 28 state senior high schools (SMA) and 13 state vocational high schools (SMK) across West Java for this programme.
Regarding the technical selection process, Purwanto explained that the academic track will consider aspects such as academic potential, academic ability, and categories for students with special talents. For the non-academic track, prospective students may register by attaching official championship certificates. “For non-academic entries, students can use certificates from competitions in fields such as arts, sports, religion, and leadership,” he added.
The West Java Education Office hopes that this new competency-focused admission model will be widely understood by all levels of society in West Java before the registration period begins next week.