TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) Education Commissioner, Retno Listyarti, stated that a number of regions are yet to have technical guidelines for the admission of new students for the new 2020/2021 school year.

According to the academic calendar issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the new academic year, now applying a school zoning system, is set to start on July 13, 2020, with Admissions for New Students (PPDB) open from June 2020.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, admissions for new students should instead be done online, in order to avoid public gatherings. “Health protocols must be implemented," Retno said, in a written statement, on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

As of May 20, 2020, the KPAI has received technical guidelines for the admissions of new students from just four provinces, which are West Java, Jakarta, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and North Sumatra provinces.

On the other hand, other provinces, such as North Sumatra and West Nusa Tenggara, still have their technical guidelines in the form of drafts. Lastly, the Bengkulu region is still currently occupied with the data collection process, as the Bengkulu Education Office is still gathering data on school capacities.

“If the technical guidelines are still in the form of drafts, let alone if they are not yet made; then when would you have the time to socialize it to schools, community members, or parents of prospective new students," she said.

On the other hand, the KPAI has cited West Java Province to be most prepared in handling admissions for new students. According to the KPAI, the West Java Education Office has prepared school application manuals as well as a powerpoint presentation detailing the technical guidelines.

The West Java Province, continued Retno, has socialized the technical guidelines for admissions of new students to Chief of Education Offices across the province, through an online presentation.

“Everything is done online, including for the parents of prospective applicants," she added.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)