DKI Provincial Government Bans State Schools From Collecting Student Graduation Fees

Illustration of students of SMPN 228 Kemayoran North Jakarta. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through the DKI Jakarta Education Office prohibits public schools in Jakarta from holding any fees if they want to carry out student graduation activities that graduate from school.

This was announced in Circular Number 17/SE/2025 concerning Graduation Activities or Release of Students at PAUD General, SD/Paket A/SDLB, SMP/Paket B/SMPLB, SMA/Paket C/SMALB, and SMK.

Acting Head of the DKI Jakarta Education Office, Sarjoko, explained that in the SE, the DKI Provincial Government emphasized that schools did not make graduation an activity that must be carried out.

"For all educational units, for year-end activities, this is not something that is mandatory. In this circular, what we need to understand is that the highlight is related to financing," said Sarjoko at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Monday, May 5.

Sarjoko said schools were allowed to hold student graduations by prioritizing the implementation in their educational units.

The graduation activities that are allowed should also be held in a simple manner without any levies and no discrimination.

"So even if schools want to budget events with the resources at school, for example by presenting all extra-curricular activities for packaging such as farewells and so on, go ahead," he explained.

"The point there is how to take advantage of the resources in the school. No matter how simple the graduation event can be. It doesn't have to be at the hotel and so on," continued Sarjoko.

Meanwhile, the Education Office does not prohibit levies on graduation financing or release to private schools. Because, they have autonomy to carry out any activities in their educational environment.

"If it's a private school unit, we will return it to parents as long as there is an agreement and so on. It's not burdensome or maybe they will do cross subsidies and so on. Go ahead," concluded Sarjoko.