The Criticism Of The Implementation Of PPDB Zoning Routes, This Is KSP's Response

JAKARTA - Implementation of New Student Admissions Registration (PPDB) through zoning channels is the government's effort to equalize the quality of education to reduce the number of disparities. If in its implementation there are indications of fraud, it does not mean having to remove the program. But improvement or improvement in the technical mechanism of implementation.

Deputy II of the Presidential Chief of Staff, Abetnego Tarigan, said this in response to criticism and voices of public disappointment over the implementation of PPDB 2023 through the zoning route, which was marked by indications of fraud.

"If fraud is found, the fraud is what is being destroyed, not the system," said Abetnego, at the Bina Graha building, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 12.

Abetnego said that currently the capacity of public schools for lower levels of education is more numerous. Where, the number of public elementary schools is higher than the number of public junior high schools. Likewise, the comparison with the number of SMA/SMK Negeri. In order to pursue this target, he continued, the local government must have a commitment to provide equal distribution and development of new schools according to the level of education. So it doesn't just stop at the zoning system," he said.

He emphasized that the technical mechanism for implementing PPDB zoning channels is under the authority of the local government through the Education Office. The central government, in this case the Ministry of Education and Culture, only regulates the main regulations as the basis for program implementation. For this reason, the Education Office needs to involve stakeholders at their respective levels, in accordance with the Circular Letter of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding the implementation of PPDB, since March 2023.

The implementation of zoning-based PPDB, he said, should not only stop at the administrative selection of files or documents. However, it must also be accompanied by field checking efforts related to prospective students. He gave an example, the efforts of the Mayor of Bogor, Bima Arya, which is considered to be good practice for other local governments.

In addition, according to him, strengthening regulations in the regions also needs to be carried out. Moreover, the Directorate General of PAUD Dikdasmen has conveyed that enforcement of regulations in the regions, especially in provinces, regencies/cities, and educational units in schools must be strengthened. We (KSP) also encourage the implementation of enforcement of existing regulations to accelerate improvements in the implementation of PPDB through zoning channels," he explained.

Since March 2023, said Abetnego, the Presidential Staff Office has been monitoring the implementation of PPDB, both in schools and madrasas. Several recommendations have also been submitted to the Ministry of Education and Culture. Among them, improvements to the IT system, strict supervision by local governments, school equity, and encouraging the circulation of PPDB without extortion.