School Graduation Is Not Mandatory, Kemendikbudristek Issues Circular To Regional Officials

Iswa PAUD equivalent to TK held a graduation ceremony with strict procedures in Palembang, South Sumatra, (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) emphasized that it does not require the implementation of school graduation activities as a place to release students who graduate.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Culture Suharti stated that the decision had been submitted through the Circular Letter of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Culture Number 14 of 2023.

"We ask all heads of the provincial and district/city education offices to submit this circular to all heads of education units in Indonesia," said Suharti, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 26.

In the circular, the Ministry of Education and Culture said that school graduation activities are not mandatory activities and must not become an obligation that burdens parents/guardians.

The Ministry of Education and Culture also reminded all educational units together with the school committee to discuss and conduct deliberations in determining an activity by involving parents of students.

This is in accordance with the mandate of the Minister of Education and Culture Regulation Number 75 of 2016 concerning the School Committee.

The school committee itself consists of parents of students, the school community, and community leaders who care about education.

"We hope that the role of the school committee can give consideration in determining and implementing educational policies related to school programs and activities," said Suharti.

Not only that, the Ministry of Education and Culture through this circular also asked the heads of the provincial and district/city education offices to provide guidance to all educational units in their respective regions.

Guidance must be carried out by the head of the education office to all education units in order to improve the quality of learning and service quality for students.

According to Suharti, it is much more important to improve the quality of learning and educational services for students in order to provide future provisions than to hold graduation activities.

"What must be seen is the essence of graduation activities. Is the graduation provision to achieve higher education or only as a culture?," said Suharti.