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Indonesia's Education Minister Addresses Low Enrollment in State Primary Schools
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesia's Education Minister Addresses Low Enrollment in State Primary Schools

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Indonesia's Minister of Basic and Secondary Education is addressing the issue of primary schools with low enrollment.
  • The ministry is currently surveying state primary schools with fewer than 60 students.
  • Several schools across Java are struggling, with some enrolling only a handful of new students.

Indonesia's Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, has acknowledged the declining enrollment in some state primary schools (SDN) across the country. The ministry is actively working to address the situation, which has led to schools with only a few students.

The ministry is currently surveying schools with fewer than 60 students.

— Abdul Mu'tiMinister of Basic and Secondary Education on the ministry's efforts to address low enrollment in state primary schools.

"The ministry is currently surveying schools with fewer than 60 students," Mu'ti stated. He has also discussed the matter with the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, and plans are underway for a special meeting to analyze the phenomenon of decreasing primary school enrollment.

Reports from various regions in Java highlight the challenge. In Semarang, Central Java, SDN Purwoyoso 01 welcomed only three new students for the academic year, despite efforts to make the first-day orientation lively with mascots and engaging materials. The school's headmistress, Hajar Riatiani, confirmed that two initially registered students did not follow through with enrollment, leaving just three.

I have informally conveyed the issue of declining student numbers in primary schools to the Honorable Minister of Home Affairs. A special meeting will be held to discuss this phenomenon.

— Abdul Mu'tiMinister of Basic and Secondary Education on planned discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Similarly, in Boyolali, Central Java, Khanza is the sole new student at SDN 2 Cepokosawit. Her teacher, Andiyani Mudrikah, expressed a commitment to providing the best education despite the low numbers, emphasizing that the school must serve the students entrusted to them with enthusiasm.

Five registered online. But two did not re-register, so only three students are confirmed to enroll.

— Hajar RiatianiHeadmistress of SDN Purwoyoso 01 explaining the school's low enrollment numbers.

The issue extends to East Java, where SDN 2 Plandaan in Tulungagung saw a late arrival of Candra Mohammad Saputra, one of only two students enrolled. Teachers at these schools are determined to maintain educational quality and a welcoming environment, regardless of the small student body.

Regardless of the number of students, we will still welcome them with fanfare. We change the theme every year. This time the theme is circus, complete with a clown.

— Hajar RiatianiHeadmistress of SDN Purwoyoso 01 on the school's commitment to a welcoming environment for new students.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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