Provincial Government Affirms Private Requirements Can Enter Free School Programs In Jakarta

SMP 137 Cempaka Putih (IST)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Regional Secretary Joko Agus Setyono emphasized that there are requirements for private schools to be included in the free school program financed by the DKI Provincial Government. This requirement is a way for the DKI Provincial Government to anticipate the emergence of a new school by a foundation or institution just because they know that the free school program will be run in Jakarta. “ For those below, this (free school) will also make people want to create new schools. We limit it first. For schools, it has been at least 6 years or 10 years before they can get it,” said Joko, quoted on Tuesday, August 13. Joko emphasized that the free school policy is a mandate of the National Education Act. Therefore, the Provincial Government has carried out in-depth discussions as suggested by the DKI Jakarta DPRD. "For the top private schools (grade A and B) it doesn't get that, because they also won't," said Joko. All factions in the DKI Jakarta DPRD are said to have agreed that free schools can be applied. Secretary of Commission E of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Jhonny Simanjuntak, also asked the DKI Provincial Government to immediately implement the policy, at least next year. "It's just how we implement it. Whether in 2025 or 2026. Yes, 2025 can be tried as soon as possible. Because this can no longer be carried out too much," said Jhonny some time ago. Jhonny revealed the reason for his party proposing free schools. So far, the DPRD often receives complaints from underprivileged families, ranging from cases of dropping out of school to diplomas held by private schools because they have not paid tuition fees. "If this happens, it means that the state is ignorant. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is also negligent and also does not have a sequence of crisis with the poor," said Jhonny. Now, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is still reviewing the plan to implement free schools, especially private ones in Jakarta. The DKI Jakarta Education Office targets the study to be completed by the end of 2024. For the record, the Acting Head of the DKI Jakarta Education Office, Budi Awaluddin, said that not all private schools would be included in the free school program.

It is recorded that as many as 415 private schools grade A and B continue to use the education financing system they have implemented. Given that these schools have not received the distribution of education operational assistance funds (BOS). "So, they are already independent, do not receive BOS funds from the central government. So, what we will remove are those who receive BOS funds," Budi told reporters, Monday, August 5.