Jakarta's Free Private School Program Draws Strong Public Interest

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Free Private School Program, or Sekolah Swasta Gratis, launched by the Jakarta Provincial Government has received a positive response from the public since new student admissions opened on 15 June 2026.

In an interview with RRI Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, Head of the Subunit for Standardization and Development of Programs and Budget at the Jakarta Provincial Education Office, Meidinta Rindatania, said that public enthusiasm is evident from the strong interest of parents and prospective students who are visiting participating private schools directly.

“We are truly happy that the public response has been very positive. And we can say the program is warmly received. Since the student admission process for SPMB, Sistem Penerimaan Murid Baru for this Sekolah Swasta Gratis is officially open on 15th June,” Meidinta said.

According to her, the admissions process for the program is conducted in person. Parents and prospective students visit schools directly to obtain information about requirements, see the school environment, and understand the selection process.

Meidinta believes this direct involvement from the community reflects strong interest in a program aimed at expanding access to education in Jakarta.

“Families are not just reading about the program, they are taking action. And for us, this is the early evidence that the program is reaching the people it was designed for,“ she said.

The Free Private School Program allows students to attend participating private schools without paying tuition fees, as all educational costs are covered by the Jakarta Provincial Government. Currently, 103 private schools across various education levels have joined the program. The Jakarta Provincial Government has allocated more than IDR 253 billion to support its implementation in 2026.

In addition to the Free Private School Program, the Jakarta Provincial Government also runs several other education initiatives, such as the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP), the Jakarta Excellent Student Card (KJMU), and the Joint Student Admission Selection (SPMB Bersama) to support more inclusive access to education.