JAKARTA - The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has prepared four strategic steps to overcome the phenomenon of the low number of students in a number of schools in the 2026/2027 school year. These steps are carried out together with the local government through data-based mapping, school capacity evaluation, to assistance for schools that lack students.
Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti said the phenomenon of schools with a minimum number of students was influenced by various factors, ranging from demographic changes, the development of residential areas, to shifting public preferences in choosing schools.
As a first step, the Ministry of Education and Culture has optimized the Education Core Data (Dapodik) to map schools that have fewer than 100 students, even less than 60 people. The data has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs as a basis for coordination with local governments.
"We are committed to continue to encourage the equalization of the quality of education so that all schools are able to provide quality education services and become a public choice. One of the efforts is to strengthen the quality of learning, improve teacher competence, and provide adequate facilities and infrastructure," said Abdul Mu'ti, Sunday, July 19.
According to Abdul Mu'ti, the government together with the local government will carry out four main strategies in overcoming the problem of schools with insufficient students.
The first step is to conduct demographic mapping to adjust educational services to the development of the number and distribution of the population. Second, evaluate the school capacity so that the capacity to accept students is in accordance with the needs in each region.
The third step is to strengthen data-based planning so that every education policy is formulated based on the actual conditions in the field. Meanwhile, the fourth step is intensive assistance for schools that have a limited number of students so that they are still able to provide quality education services.
In addition, the Ministry of Education and Culture also considered the results of the Kompas 2025 Research and Development study which showed changes in public preferences in choosing schools. The study noted that many parents now prefer primary schools that have religious affiliations.
According to Abdul Mu'ti, the findings are one of the considerations of the government in formulating education policies that are more adaptive to community needs.
He emphasized that improving the quality of education could not be done by the government alone, but required collaboration from all stakeholders, from local governments, schools, teachers, parents, to the community.
"We invite all stakeholders to work together to build a quality, inclusive, and equitable education ecosystem. Through this collaboration, hopefully every school can develop according to the potential of its region, while ensuring that every Indonesian child has equal and quality learning opportunities," said Abdul Mu'ti.
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