Dedi Mulyadi Adds Quota One Rombel 50 Students, Members Of The House Of Representatives Highlight Quality And Justice

Illustration-(DOC ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission X DPR RI MY Esti Wijayati highlighted the policy of the West Java Provincial Government which increased the number of students in one study group (rombel) in public schools to 50 people.

This policy is contained in the Decree of the Governor of West Java Number 463.1/Kep.323-Disdik/2025 as part of the Prevention of School Dropouts (PAPS) program.

According to Esti, although it aims well, this policy has the potential to cause systemic inequality in the world of education, ranging from decreasing the quality of learning to marginalizing the role of private schools.

"The addition of quotas in public schools should not be carried out reactively, let alone ignoring the principles of quality and sustainability of the national education ecosystem," said Esti, Wednesday, July 23.

The legislator from the Special Region of Yogyakarta assessed that the increase in the number of students in one class must be accompanied by careful planning, including taking into account the capacity of classrooms, the ratio of teachers, and the readiness of the curriculum.

"Accommodating more students is certainly a noble goal. But if it is done without careful calculations, then what is sacrificed is the quality of the learning itself," he said.

He also assessed that this policy had a direct impact on private schools. Many private schools in West Java experienced a drastic decline in the number of new students due to the attractiveness of public schools which are now able to accommodate more students.

The implementation of education policies must not be unilateral. There must be involvement of all stakeholders, including private schools that have been supporting the national education system," said Esti.

He added that there needs to be a dialogue between the West Java Education Office and private schools to find a fair and sustainable solution.

"The schools have not been designed for a capacity of 50 students per class. The ideal ratio in learning also has a reference. If forced, the learning process will be disrupted, as well as the final result," added Esti.

Esti also underlined that the massive expansion of the capacity of public schools without involving private schools as strategic partners will lead to unhealthy 'distortion of competitions', especially in urban areas.

Private schools that have invested for years are now facing student exodus. Not because their services are bad, but because there is a perception that public schools can now accommodate everyone without restrictions," said Esti.

He also encouraged the government, both central and regional, to balance the affirmative approach with data-based and fair education governance.

"The addition of capacity must be accompanied by investment in school infrastructure, increasing teacher competence, and fair budget distribution," he concluded.

Previously, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi set a policy to increase the number of students per rombel from 36 to 50 students for the country's SMA/SMK level. This policy came into effect from June 26, 2025.

However, the policy drew protests from the West Java Private High School Principal Forum (FKSS). They said 95 percent of the 3,858 private schools in West Java were only able to attract less than half of their ideal student capacity this year. FKSS even plans to sue the West Java Governor's decision to the State Administrative Court (PTUN).