Thousands Of Empty Seats, Dozens Of Private Schools In Serang City Threatened To Close

A number of teachers staged a protest at the Serang City Government, Banten, Tuesday (15/7/2025). BETWEEN/Desi Purnama Sari

SERANG - Thousands of student seats in private schools in Serang City, Banten, are empty, sparking fears of a wave of closures of dozens of schools and an increase in the unemployment rate among teachers.

The head of the Serang City Private School Principal Communication Forum (FOKKS) Deni Gumelar said this critical condition was caused by the city government's policy of continuing to increase the study group (rombel) in public schools, thus attracting prospective students from the private sector.

He stated that the policy of adding rombel in public schools directly threatens the survival of dozens of private schools that have been contributing to the world of education in the capital Banten.

"Currently, there are 2,415 vacant seats in 53 private schools. If that continues, it may make private schools closed," Deni said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 15.

His party said that previously there were nine private schools that had been forced to go out of business due to similar problems. Of the total capacity of private junior high schools as many as 3,773 students, temporary acquisition to date has only reached 1,397 students.

The massive vacancy of this seat puts about 40 other private schools on the verge of closing if there is no change in policy. The most obvious impact of this crisis is the threat of termination of employment for teachers and staff.

"If this is left unchecked, it will probably become a lot of unemployed in private schools, which in the end Serang City will also increase its unemployment," he asserted.

This is symbolized in black and white clothes worn by teachers, as if indicating that they will soon become job seekers. Therefore, FOKKS asked the Serang City Government to immediately cancel the policy of adding rombels in public schools.

"Our demands, we want to cancel our policy of adding rombel in public schools. And also we want to remain in 32 students per class in the country, and we are also ready for 32 students," he added.

His party demands fair competition. In addition, he also mentioned the promise of the Mayor of Serang which has not yet been realized. According to him, the mayor once promised that there would be equal distribution of students, Regional School Operational Assistance (Bosda), to free uniforms.

"But if there are no students, what are all those for? What is there maybe we become unemployed," he complained.

He revealed that previously there had been the signing of a joint commitment between private schools and the city government to regulate student equity.

"But in the field it didn't work, instead there were violations. So we want to enforce it, so that the mayor will really carry out his commitment," he explained.

Deni implies that there are other motives behind this additional chromable policy. According to him, private schools will get students if public schools are orderly.

"But because of the country, I don't think it's just a pressure from the community, but this is more about looking for projects," he concluded.

Pay attention to private schools

Deputy Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen) Fajar Riza Ul Haq when visiting Serang City on March 20, 2023, asked the Serang City Government (Pemkot) to pay attention to private schools so that they can develop as public schools.

"The education sector is one of the priority programs and we are here to ensure quality education for all, including private schools," he said after a visit to Mardiyuana Christian School, Serang City, Thursday.

He emphasized the government's commitment to realizing the proportionality and justice of education in Indonesia. So that the Serang City Government is expected to pay attention to private schools including improving the quality of teachers.

"The important support is that the government provides inclusive and fair policies and the City Government is also expected to pay attention to private schools including improving the quality of teachers," he said.

According to the Deputy Minister of Education and Culture, the role of private schools is an important part of community participation in educating the nation's life, especially in remote areas. Private schools are here to help the country organize education.

"Therefore, we want collaboration between local and central governments. So that the improvement of quality education in Serang City is carried out synergically together because the center cannot be alone and the City Government can do that too, and this visit is a form of our commitment," he said.