President Prabowo Orders In-Depth Study on Zoning-Based School Admission Policy
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Prabowo Subianto has directed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to conduct a comprehensive review of the zoning-based school admission policy (PPDB) before making a final decision on its potential elimination.
The announcement was conveyed by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti following a meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace complex on Tuesday.
“Regarding the zoning-based PPDB, the President has tasked us with deepening the study of its implementation,” Minister Mu’ti stated, noting that the review will involve input from education office heads, education experts, stakeholders, and schools.
The findings will be submitted to President Prabowo for further consideration, with a final decision to be determined at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. “The decision will be made during the Cabinet session,” the Minister added.
The debate over the zoning policy, which assigns students to schools based on their residential areas, resurfaced recently after Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka advocated for its abolition. Speaking at the Muhammadiyah Youth Tanwir National Meeting in Jakarta, VP Gibran argued that the policy limits access to education and called for its removal.
“The zoning system must be done away with because it is seen as hindering access to education,” VP Gibran remarked, emphasizing the importance of education in fostering a quality generation and achieving the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
In addition to his critique of the zoning system, VP Gibran stressed the need to strengthen digital skills among young Indonesians, including coding, programming, and digital marketing, to ensure the nation remains competitive on the global stage.
The zoning-based admission policy has been a point of contention, with supporters claiming it promotes equity by reducing disparities among schools, while critics argue it restricts educational opportunities for students in underprivileged areas.
As the Ministry undertakes its review, the education sector eagerly awaits the Cabinet’s decision, which is expected to have significant implications for Indonesia’s education system and its long-term development goals.
