Gov’t to Continue School Zoning System for Enrollment
Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim attends a Coordination Meeting with heads of Local Education Offices in Indonesia, at the Bidakara Hotel, Pancoran, Jakarta, Thursday (11/12). (PR of Ministry of Education and Culture/ES)
Ministry of Education and Culture ensures that it will continue the School Zoning System in the 2020 Enrollment of New Students (PPDB). However, in 2020, the quota for the high-achiever students will increase to 30%.
“The School Zoning system is more flexible to accommodate unequal access and quality of education in various regions,” Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim said in a Coordination Meeting with heads of Local Education Offices in Indonesia, at the Bidakara Hotel, Pancoran, Jakarta, Thursday (11/12).
Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture Number 44 of 2019 on Student Enrollment for Kindergarten, Elementary School, Junior High School, Senior High School, and Vocational School stipulates that at least 50% of the enrollment quota is granted to students who live near the school, 15 % quota is granted for affirmative option, 5% quota is available for students whose parents have to change the address because of their job, and maximum 30% quota is granted for high-achiever students.
The Regulation states that quota for high-achiever students are not available for enrollment in Kindergartens and 1st Grade of Primary Schools. In addition, prospective students can only choose 1 (one) registration option in 1 (one) zone.
“The school zoning policy enables the affirmation quota for students and families from low-income family who hold the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) as well as maximum 30% quota for high-achiever students,” Nadiem said.
One of the goals of the Regulation, Nadiem added, is to facilitate the parents who want their children’s achievements to be taken into account in school enrollment.
“Many mothers have said that their children have studied hard to get the desired school. So this (Regulation) is a compromise between the need for equal distribution for all levels of education and demand from parents who have worked hard for (their children) to get a lot of achievement,” the Minister said.
Article 16 of the Regulation states that the school zoning area is determined by Regional Government in accordance with their authority.
The Regulation also stipulates that the education office is obliged to ensure that schools organized by the Regional Government accommodate students in the designated zoning area.
“The determination of zoning areas at each level must be announced no later than 1 (one) month before the announcement of school enrollment,” Article 16 paragraph (5) of the Regulation reads.
The Regulation also states that affirmation quota is provided for students from low-income families as evidenced by participation of students in the Government program for low-income families.
“Students who enroll via affirmation quota are students who are domiciled inside and outside the zoning area of the school,” Article 17 paragraph (3) of the Regulation reads.
The quota for students whose parents have to change the address because of their job, the regulation added, are evidenced by an assignment letter from the agency, institution, office or employing company. The quota may also be granted to students whose parents are teachers.
The regulation further regulates that quota for high-achiever students is determined based on: a. school examination score or National Examination score; and/or b. the achievement from competitions and/or awards in the academic and non-academic fields at the international level, national level, provincial level, and/or city level.
“The Evidence of the achievement is issued between 6 (six) months and 3 (three) years from the date of the enrollment,” Article 20 paragraph (2) of the Regulation reads.
The Regulation also stipulates that the announcement of school enrollment shall be conducted no later than the first week of May. (PR of Ministry of Education and Culture/ES)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti
