DPR Highlights 40 Percent Reduction Of PTS New Students Impacted By PTNBH

Illustration of lecture activities (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission X DPR RI, Lalu Hadrian Irfani highlighted the decrease in the number of new students in Private Universities (PTS) to 40 percent, as a result of the policy of State Universities as Legal Entities (PTNBH). According to him, this policy needs to be reviewed so as not to cause inequality between PTS and state universities (PTN).

"The House of Representatives Commission X considers that there needs to be a careful review, because the PTNBH policy creates serious inequality between PTN and PTS," said Lalu Hadrian, Wednesday, August 27.

Lalu mengatakan, penurunan jumlah mahasiswa baru di PTS tak bisa lepas dari kebijakan jalur mandiri, sebagaimana diatur dalam Permendikbudristek Nomor 48 Tahun 2022, yang membuka ruang bagi PTNBH untuk menerima mahasiswa hingga 50 persen dari total kuota.

In addition, Lalu assessed that the rules that allow the extension of PTN's independent selection registration period until mid-August will further narrow the space for PTS to move in recruiting students.

"We all agree that access to higher education must be fair and equitable. Do not let only those who are financially capable get a place," he said.

The legislator from the West Nusa Tenggara II electoral district also reminded that the existence of PTS so far is very important in expanding access to higher education, especially in areas that have not been reached by PTN.

"Do not let state policies actually kill private educational institutions that have struggled in the field. The government must be present to maintain this balance," said Lalu.

Furthermore, Lalu said, PTS which did not get a government subsidy became very difficult to compete with PTN which opened a massive independent path.

"In the long term, this will threaten the existence of PTS and exacerbate the inequality of access to higher education between regions and the social layer of society," he said.

Therefore, according to him, it is important to evaluate so that the disparity between PTN and PTS does not widen, both in terms of the number of students, the quality of education services, and the sustainability of educational institutions as a whole.

"We will encourage a thorough evaluation of Permendikbudristek 48/2022. If necessary, the rules are revised. Don't let PTS fall one by one just because the state neglects to make fair regulations," concluded Lalu.