Minister Of State Secretary Calls PPDB Zoning Not Removed

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi in an interview at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Air Base, Jakarta, Thursday (23/1/2025). (ANTARA/Andi Firdaus)

JAKARTA - The Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, has signaled that the zoning system in the New Student Admissions (PPDB) will not be removed.

"No, no (deleted, red.). It's still a combination. We are looking for the best, because each system has advantages, there are shortcomings," said Prasetyo, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, January 23.

However, Prasetyo did not elaborate further on the combination in question. He said the details regarding this matter were more appropriate to explain by the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti.

Prasetyo said the final decision regarding the fate of the zoning system in PPDB was still waiting for President Prabowo Subianto's return from a visit abroad.

He said the President would hold a limited meeting (ratas) with the relevant ministers to decide on this matter. All proposals continue to be discussed to get the best decision.

"Yes, it's like this, a decision, because it involves many things, many sectors, of course we want to make decisions that can really be applied better than the previous system," he said.

Previously, Abdul Mu'ti stated that certainty regarding the fate of the zoning system in the 2024/2025 New Student Admissions (PPDB) was immediately decided by the President in the near future.

Mu'ti after attending the Plenary Cabinet Session at the Presidential Office, Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (22/1), said the President instructed the final zoning decision to be finalized with the Minister of State Secretary.

"He gave directions to be resolved with the Minister of State Secretary. If possible in these weeks, in the near future," he said when asked about the removal of the zoning system.

Mu'ti hopes that this decision can come out in the near future, because schools have started to open registration and require certainty.

According to him, if the decision is not taken immediately, there will be challenges in consolidation, coordination, and socialization to local governments, schools, and the community.

But Mu'ti has not confirmed whether the zoning concept will be completely abolished in the new PPDB scheme. "Regarding certainty, just wait until the official decision is issued," he said.