HighScope Dispute Rancamaya Heats Up, YBTA Claims To Hold Operational Legality

YBTA's attorney, Chandra Goba, at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, August 14, 2025 (Ist)

JAKARTA The conflict in ownership and management of the Rancamaya HighScope School between the Bina Tunas Abadi Foundation (YBTA) and the Active Learning Education Pioneer Foundation (YPPBA) is heating up. YBTA, which has been managing the school since 2008, emphasized that all operational legalities remain under its authority.

YBTA's attorney, Chandra Goba, at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, August 14, explained that his party has a deed of foundation establishment, a decree from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, as well as an operational permit from the Education Office that is still valid.

"From the start, all school legalities were under YBTA and we carried out this task with full responsibility," he said.

YBTA accused YPPBA's move to take over management to be carried out unilaterally and without legal basis. There is no court decision or official power of attorney that authorizes YPPBA to control assets, staff, or school financial flows.

Regarding the collaboration with PT HighScope Indonesia, Chandra said that the previous relationship was in the form of a sub-lience which was claimed to be affiliated with the HighScope Educational Research Foundation (HSERF) in the United States.

However, a search at the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) found an official license agreement between HSERF and YPPBA and PT HighScope which was only registered in 2024, effective until December 2026.

"There are indications that the use of the name PT HighScope Indonesia was carried out without the knowledge and approval of brand owners in the US," said Chandra. He also added that HSERF in the US only provides education for kindergarten levels, while the use of the HighScope name at elementary to high school levels in Indonesia is not included in the official HSERF system.

YBTA is now managing kindergarten and elementary school at HighScope Rancamaya, both of whom are accredited A, while waiting for legal certainty regarding international licenses and curriculum. Interestingly, HSERF President Alejandra Baraza on May 2, 2024 reportedly sent a letter asking YPPBA to return management to YBTA. The agreement was reached on May 6, but YPPBA has not yet implemented it.

Another YBTA attorney, Dolan Colling, emphasized that this dispute is not only a matter of ownership, but also transparency and education governance.

"Education is not a business asset, but a mandate for the future of the nation's generation," he said.

In the August 1 trial, civil law expert witness Gunawan Widjaja explained the valid terms of the agreement according to Article 1320 of the Civil Code, the elements of default in accordance with Article 1243, and the criteria for unlawful acts.

He gave an example, the use of operational permits on behalf of other parties without the consent or termination of unilateral agreements outside the procedure can be categorized as unlawful acts.

Gunawan also highlighted the change in licensing status on the official licensing site as an indication of the end or change of legal relations.

"compliance with agreements and legal rules is the key to resolving conflicts fairly and transparently," he concluded.