DKI DPRD Asks Pramono To Maintain Target Of 258 Free Private Schools Next Year

Illustration-(DOC ANTARA)

The DKI Jakarta DPRD Budget Agency (Banggar) asked the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government not to reduce and maintain the number of private schools that are prioritized to be included in the free school program in Jakarta next year.

Previously, the DPRD and the DKI Provincial Government had targeted the addition of free private schools to 258 schools. However, in the ratification of the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) regarding the APBD for Fiscal Year 2026, the number of schools entering the program was only 105 schools.

"The DKI Jakarta Provincial DPRD recommends that free private schools not be reduced, and even increased by more than 105 schools as targeted by 2026. The 2026 target discussed in Commission E is 258. It turns out that only 105 were approved," said Member of Banggar DPRD DKI Jakarta, Ramli Muhamad, Friday, November 14.

Ramli assessed that the free private school policy is important to expand access to quality education for children who have not been accommodated in public schools.

Ramli also mentioned the commitment of DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung who had signed a Governor Regulation (Pergub) regarding Free Private Schools on October 16.

"We beg you, Mr. Governor, with the ability of the Governor, it must be 258 free schools. Because the Governor has signed a free school governor's regulation on October 16. We are just one step away from walking," said Ramli.

Furthermore, Ramli emphasized that the expansion of this free school program must be a priority in the allocation of the education budget next year. According to him, the Education Office and the Regional Government Budget Team (TAPD) need to find additional sources of funds so that the program expansion target can be achieved.

"The Jakarta Provincial DPRD requested that the Education Office together with the TAPD seek additional allocation of funds for the expansion of the private school program from 105 to 258," he said.

It is known, in the preparation of the general budget policy and priority of the temporary budget ceiling (KUA-PPAS) of the 2026 budget year, it is planned that there will be an addition of hundreds of educational units in the free private school program.

In 2025, trials of free private schools have been run in 40 private schools. This trial includes 4,932 students from 142 study groups who are early classes or new batches.

Apparently, the central government cut the transfer funds to the regions (TKD) which also includes revenue-sharing funds (DBH) of up to Rp15 trillion. Thus, next year's APBD draft had to be lowered from Rp95 trillion to Rp81 trillion. The DKI Provincial Government and DPRD have reshuffled a number of budget allocations in the 2026 Regional Budget Raperda.