Indonesia prepares special policies for schools with minimal students

Indonesia's Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is set to implement tailored policies to address the challenge of schools with critically low student numbers. These measures are being developed in collaboration with regional governments, following a comprehensive mapping of educational institutions facing severe enrollment declines for the upcoming 2026/2027 academic year.

Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti stated that the phenomenon of schools with minimal student populations is influenced by a confluence of factors. These include shifts in the school-age population, migration patterns, the development of new residential areas, community choices regarding educational institutions, and specific regional geographical conditions.

To inform these new policies, the ministry has already collected data on schools with fewer than 100 students, including those with fewer than 60 pupils, through the Dapodik (Basic Education Data) system. This data has been shared with the Ministry of Home Affairs as part of inter-ministerial coordination efforts. "We are committed to continuously promoting equitable quality of education so that all schools can provide quality educational services and become the community's choice," Mu'ti said.

The ministry and regional governments will jointly assess educational service needs based on demographic trends and population distribution. They will also evaluate school capacities, strengthen data-driven educational planning, and ensure that schools with limited enrollment continue to receive optimal support and educational services. Mu'ti acknowledged that community preferences, such as a growing tendency for parents to choose religiously affiliated primary schools, as indicated by a 2025 Litbang Kompas study, are also a key consideration in understanding evolving educational choices.

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We are committed to continuously promoting equitable quality of education so that all schools can provide quality educational services and become the community's choice.