PSI Proposes Free Private Schools In Jakarta Restricted By 2 Children Per Family

Happy students go to school to study. (Between East Java-Didik Suhartono-zk)

JAKARTA - Member of the PSI faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Justin Adrian Untayana proposed limiting the target of the free private school program in Jakarta in one family.

"I propose that there are restrictions on two children per family who receive the benefits of a free private school program," Justin told reporters, Sunday, January 19.

Justin assessed that the free school program for the private sector, which will take place from the new academic year 2025/2026, must be fair with even distribution. With the restrictions in one family, it is hoped that this program can target more beneficiaries.

"Similarly, the number of families whose children can sit in classrooms devoted to free private school programs is increasing," said Justin.

The DKI Provincial Government, he continued, must also ensure that the free school program is only intended for Jakarta residents. Furthermore, the government must supervise schools so that extortion does not occur.

Bearing in mind, based on data from the Indonesian Education Research Journal (JPPI), it is stated that extortion still occurs in 44.86 percent of schools throughout Indonesia when receiving new students (PPDB).

"Basically, extortion should not be carried out anywhere. But it will become a crime against humanity if it is committed against underprivileged students," he explained.

The DKI Provincial Government and the DKI Jakarta DPRD previously made a commitment to free schools for the private sector to be implemented this year. The DKI Provincial Government will submit an academic paper that will regulate the implementation of free private schools in Jakarta at the end of January.

The academic manuscript will be compiled into a revision of Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 8 of 2006 concerning the Implementation and Management of Education. This revision of the regional regulation is the legal umbrella for free schools which will run in the new school year 2025/2026.

Chairman of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Khoirudin said the government was pursuing regulations and technical implementation so that the free school program could run in mid-2025.

"This is state money, we are stepping up, but there must be certainty of regulations first, what takes time is the preparation of regulations, the funds are ready. And we have also agreed with the executive, and there are no problems," Khoirudin told reporters, Friday, November 29, 2024.

Later, the distribution of KJP will be part of the free school program. Given that the tuition fee for the school has been free, the KJP will be sufficient for the purchase of school needs.

"Now the school is free. So the KJP is there, only to buy shoes, pants, clothes, training, t-shirts, hats, and ties. School equipment, because the money that can be received has been put into the school for free," said Khoirudin.