West Lombok Education Office Evaluates TK 1 Narmada After Forcing Parents to Sign Fee Agreement

TK Negeri 1 Narmada kindergarten is being evaluated by the West Lombok Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud). The evaluation was carried out after the school forced parents of pupils to sign a declaration of willingness to pay education costs.

Head of Early Childhood Education (PAUD) at Disdikbud West Lombok, Tajudin, said the head of TK Negeri 1 Narmada had been summoned to provide clarification regarding the letter. However, Disdikbud West Lombok did not pursue the case further because the letter had already been withdrawn.

“We asked about the parents’ declaration letter that was circulating, but the declaration letter has since been withdrawn,” said Tajudin on Tuesday (4/8/2026).

Even so, Disdikbud West Lombok continued to provide guidance to staff at TK Negeri 1 Narmada so that they comply with the rules on financial management at state schools.

“The guidance is for orderly school administration and to emphasise that the school may not collect funds, because it is a state school and has already been funded by the government through the Education Unit Operational Assistance (BOSP),” Tajudin explained.

Tajudin stressed that all state schools would be evaluated. This is being done to ensure none of them take actions outside the regulations or government provisions.

As previously reported, parents and guardians of pupils at TK Negeri 1 Narmada in West Lombok were asked to sign a letter containing a statement of willingness and non-objection to paying education costs. The letter even bore a Rp 10,000 stamp duty.

As seen by detikBali, the letter contained a column for parents’ identity details, ranging from name, National Identity Number (NIK), address and telephone number to the child’s data. Below the identity column was a declaration reading as follows.

“We declare our willingness and non-objection to all costs charged to us whilst our son/daughter pursues education at TK Negeri 1 Narmada. This is in order to facilitate the learning process at school and improve the quality of education.”

“This declaration letter is made consciously and without coercion from any party, to be used as appropriate.”

At the end, parents were asked to sign the letter over a Rp 10,000 stamp duty. However, the letter did not state the amount of the fees to be paid.