The Jakarta PPDB "Trial" Zoning System And The Worries Of Young Students Not Passing Public Schools

Meeting of representatives of parents of students with Commission E DPRD DKI Jakarta and Pemprov DKI (Photo: Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Today is the opening of the New Student Admissions (PPDB) system specifically for the zoning route for students in DKI Jakarta. Acceptance by determining the system of the closest area from the house to the school lasts for two days until 26 June.

However, the provisions drawn up by the DKI Education Office for the 2020-2021 academic year had complained about a number of students' parents. The association on behalf of the Movement for Mother and Father Cares for Education and Justice (Geprak) held a demonstration in front of the DKI City Hall Building to convey their rejection. However, the DKI Provincial Government ignored him.

Finally, the DKI DPRD tried to mediate by holding a meeting with representatives of parents of students and the DKI Education Office yesterday. The meeting was tough. Representatives of parents of students complained about the technical instructions for school registration with a zoning system.

In this regulation, the quota for the PPDB academic year 2020-2021 for the affirmation path is 25 percent, 40 percent for zoning, 20 percent for academic achievement, 5 percent for non-academic and outside DKI 5 percent, and 5 percent for moving parent duties.

In the zoning system, the selection of prospective new students for grade 7 SMP and grade 10 SMA is carried out by prioritizing the distance of the closest residence to the school within the designated zoning area.

Then, if there are two students with the same distance from where the prospective students live and the school, then the selection for the fulfillment of the last quota will prioritize the older student.

That means, there is a possibility that getting a school of choice from prospective students who are younger will be defeated by older ones. Those who do not qualify, like it or not, have to find private schools. This system is what makes students' parents feel they have received injustice.

Moreover, currently the special zoning route quota in DKI is only 40 percent, different from the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture Number 44 of 2019 which determines the zoning quota of 50 percent. The chances of young students getting to the target public schools are getting smaller.

"We are questioning the age criteria on zoning. If this is the case, we will see, for example, later children are thrown out (from public schools, red) because they do not qualify, then are forced to enter the private sector. However, the private sector has opened registration since before. -Our children are experimenting like this, "said one parent named Ratu Yunita Ayu at the DPRD Building, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, June 24.

All members of Commission E on People's Welfare agreed with the complaints of the parents of students. Member of Commission E DPRD DKI Basri Baco, considers age priority in zoning selection to create discrimination. After all, it is not in accordance with Kemendikbud regulations.

"The zoning system prioritizes age, then distance is ignored. In fact, the aim of this regulation is to bring schools closer to where children live, so that transportation costs are cheap and child safety is maintained," said Baco.

It was the head of the DKI Education Agency, Nahdiana, to answer. Nahdiana admitted that the results of her study predicted that many younger children would not be admitted to public schools. However, he could not change these rules. Because, like it or not, there will definitely be prospective students who will be left out.

"DKI has formulated this from 3 years ago. We have not changed this because it has settled. If your child enters, it is selected because those interested in public schools in the zone return to capacity. If the capacity is only a certain percentage, then logically it will be full. That way, age becomes the selection, "explained Nahdiana.

Parents' wishes were not fulfilled

Based on the agreement on the results of the meeting, the DPRD DKI could not do much to fulfill the wishes of the parents by asking the DKI Pemprov to remove the age criteria in the zoning system. Member of Commission E DPRD DKI Jhonny Simanjuntak concluded that his party provides an opportunity for the DKI Provincial Government to implement the policies that have been made.

"After all, we DPRD as people's representatives have tried to convince the executive. But the Kadis (Nahdiana, red) mother asked to be given a chance. They will also be ready to evaluate the system," said Jhonny.

After the meeting, one of the parents named Tita Sudirman admitted that he was disappointed with the DPRD decision. However, like it or not they have to follow the system established by the Education Office.

"Like it or not, we will try the zoning while we are monitoring the results of the children who did not get the stage tomorrow. Because, what else can we do? We try zoning. I apologize to all parents who may be like me," said Tita.