Yesterday: Preparations for Senior Secondary Academic Tests and Drought Mitigation amid El Niño
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Several public-affairs events took place across the country on Friday (23 October), including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s announcement of the senior secondary Academic Competency Test schedule, which begins next week, and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s preparations to mitigate drought caused by El Niño through 2027.
Here is a round-up of the news.
Education ministry announces senior secondary test schedule starting next week
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) announced several key dates for the Academic Competency Test (TKA) for senior secondary school and equivalent levels, which is due to begin next week.
Toni Toharuddin, head of the ministry’s Agency for Primary and Secondary Education Policy, said every stage of the test would prioritise the safety and health of students and all members of the organising teams.
“We emphasise that the safety and health of students, as well as all members of the organising teams, are our top priority. Schools that are not yet safe will not be forced to follow the main schedule,” Toni said online at a media briefing on the TKA for senior secondary schools and equivalent institutions in Central Jakarta on Friday afternoon.
Education ministry offers flexibility on make-up tests in fire-affected areas
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is offering flexibility over make-up arrangements for senior secondary students affected by forest and land fires.
Rahmawati, head of the ministry’s Centre for Educational Assessment, said affected students could still sit the test during the main session or be proposed for a make-up session.
“Given the changing situation on the ground, disaster conditions may shift from day to day. We are allowing students to take the main session, but if they are unable to attend, they will be included in the reconciliation data for prospective make-up test participants,” Rahmawati said at a media briefing on the TKA for senior secondary schools and equivalent institutions at the ministry’s E Building in Central Jakarta on Friday afternoon.
National Nutrition Agency returns Rp160 billion to state following audit findings
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has acted on findings by the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK) concerning its 2025 financial statements, returning Rp160.37 billion to the state treasury—about 81.75 per cent of the total findings of Rp196.17 billion.
The funds had been returned by 21 October 2026, following the BPK’s audit of the agency’s 2025 financial statements on internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations, under report number 19.b/T/LHP/DJPKN-VIII-OI/PPN.01/05/2026, dated 18 May 2026.
BGN Secretary-General Lili Khamiliyah said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Friday that the report highlighted two main issues: duplicate virtual-account (VA) bank accounts at several Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPGs), and non-compliance in budget accountability.
Disaster agency prepares drought mitigation measures amid El Niño through 2027
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is preparing measures to address the possibility that the rainy season will start later than usual and be delayed until early 2027 because of a very strong El Niño.
“We continue to monitor and evaluate every update to weather data provided by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) concerning the risk of prolonged drought,” BNPB Head of Disaster Data, Information and Communication Berton Panjaitan said when contacted in Jakarta on Thursday.
The BNPB, ministries, agencies and regional governments are drawing up daily and weekly response measures to manage drought and forest and land fires.