West Java Governor: 'Maung' Program Won't Change School Names
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi announced that SMAN 5 Bandung will not change its name as part of the 'Maung' (Superior Human) program.
- 'Maung' is an acronym for 'Manusia Unggul' (Superior Human) and is a program initiative, not a name change for schools.
- The program aims to establish specialized schools focusing on future-needed strategic majors, with dozens of schools planned to be inaugurated in the 2026/2027 academic year.
Governor Dedi Mulyadi has clarified that the 'Maung' (Superior Human) program will not lead to the renaming of prominent high schools like SMAN 5 Bandung. Addressing public concerns, Mulyadi emphasized that 'Maung' is merely an acronym for 'Manusia Unggul' and represents a new educational initiative, not a rebranding of existing institutions. Schools designated as 'Sekolah Maung' will retain their original names, such as SMA 3 Bandung or SMA 5 Bandung, while being recognized as centers for this advanced program. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the established identity and reputation of these schools. The 'Maung' program itself is designed to cultivate students with superior capabilities, catering to both academic and non-academic talents. It aims to prepare students for the future by offering specialized majors in high-demand fields like information technology, automotive, agriculture, sports, electronics, and marine studies. The initiative, slated for inauguration in the 2026/2027 academic year, signifies a forward-looking approach to education in West Java, focusing on developing a skilled workforce aligned with future economic needs. The provincial government is committed to funding the development of these schools, with hopes for central government support as well.
So the schools will remain SMA 3 Bandung, SMA 5 Bandung, and later in other places perhaps there will be SMA Negeri 1 Purwakarta, SMA Negeri 1 Subang, SMA Negeri 1 Indramayu. There will be no change in the term SMA 3 Maung Bandung, SMA 5 Maung Bandung, there is no such term.
Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.