Jakarta (ANTARA) - A lawmaker on Monday called for prioritizing private schools in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas in efforts to provide free basic education.Responding to a recent Constitutional Court (MK) ruling mandating free basic education at both public and private schools, Hetifah Sjaifudian, Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives, emphasized the challenges faced by private schools in 3T regions.
“Some of these schools rely solely on School Operational Assistance (BOS) and lack adequate support,” she said. “They must receive additional funding.”
She noted that the MK ruling requires the state to ensure free access to quality education and should include private schools that are often the only option in remote areas.
“In my opinion, we should prioritize private schools that depend entirely on BOS funding,” she stressed.
Sjaifudian added that implementation should be expedited, especially with the upcoming student enrollment period involving both public and private institutions.
“We will hold a working meeting with the Ministry of Education and other relevant ministries,” she said.
The MK issued its decision on May 27, requiring the government to cover basic education costs in both public and private schools, citing the limited capacity of public institutions and the financial burden on families using private services.
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The court amended Article 34, paragraph (2) of Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System (UU Sisdiknas) to read:
“The government and regional governments guarantee the implementation of compulsory basic education free of charge, both in government-run and community-run educational institutions.”
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However, the court acknowledged that the rollout of free education could be implemented gradually. It also clarified that private schools offering alternative curricula beyond the national standard—and not receiving government support—may still charge tuition.
