KPK reminds SPMB 2026 not to become a place for bribes, gratification, and bribes

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reminded that the implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB) in the 2026/2027 academic year was not a loophole for patronage, gratification, or illegal levies (pungli).

The warning was delivered ahead of the start of the new student admission process in various regions. The KPK emphasized that SPMB must run objectively, transparently, accountable, fairly, and free from corruption practices.

"Ahead of the 2026/2027 new school year, the KPK reminds that the implementation of SPMB should not be a loophole for patronage, gratification, or illegal levies," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement, Sunday, June 7.

Budi said the KPK still found various integrity issues in the education sector based on the results of the 2024 Education Integrity Assessment Survey (SPI).

One of the findings that is of concern is the still high practice of extortion in the student admission process. From the results of the survey, as many as 28 percent of student admissions were reported to be colored by extortion.

"This data has jumped sharply from the previous 24.65 percent," he said.

Not only that, as many as 30 percent of educators consider gratification as a natural thing. In fact, 65 percent of schools say that parents of students still often give gifts to educators and the school.

According to Budi, the findings show that the practice of giving in the educational environment is still considered a common thing. In fact, gratification that is allowed to develop into a conflict of interest, affects the objectivity of educational services and has the potential to lead to the practice of bribery and extortion.

The KPK also found that 51.04 percent of schools and campuses were judged to be less transparent regarding education costs, including donations and various other activities.

In general, the education integrity index is at 69.5. However, in the governance dimension, the value is still at 56.68.

"Education should be a space for character and integrity formation, not a place for tolerance of corrupt practices. Therefore, corruption prevention in the education sector is not enough just through learning in the classroom but must also be reflected in clean and ethical governance and education services," he said.

Budi reminded that education has an important role in shaping the character of future generations. Therefore, the practice of bribery and gratification should not be considered as something ordinary.

Moreover, the KPK noted that there were 1,100 cases or around 61.73 percent of all cases handled related to bribes and gratuities since 2004 until now.

"Education has an important role in shaping the character of future generations. If the practice of gratification is considered normal in the educational environment, then tolerance for corruption is at risk of growing from an early age," said Budi.

"The classroom must be a space of integrity. A space that is a place for the growth of awareness and the manifestation of anti-corruption behavior. Not only for students, but also for educators."

The KPK has issued Circular Letter Number 7 of 2026 concerning the Prevention of Corruption and Control of Gratification in the Implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB) on May 25, 2026.

In addition, the KPK is currently also implementing the 2026 Education SPI which will take place from April 13 to July 31, 2026 as part of the evaluation of strengthening integrity in the education sector.