PORTALJABAR, BEKASI CITY - Acting Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin opened the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) for public and private SMA/SMK/SLB levels throughout West Java for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The MPLS, which will last for three days, was opened symbolically in the hall of SMA Negeri 5 Bekasi City and witnessed live virtually by SMA/SMK/SLB throughout West Java, Monday (15/7/2024).

In this MPLS, all schools are committed to not having violent or bullying practices or behavior towards new students.

This commitment was read by all parties through the West Java Anti-Violence and Bullying declaration before the MPLS activities.

Bey hopes that this declaration will be implemented by all parties during MPLS.

"In this MPLS there is no violence and bullying. We are together committed to eliminating acts of bullying both physically and verbally," said Bey.

The MPLS material delivered to new students includes insight into Wiyata Mandala, effective learning, national and state awareness, character education, student etiquette, student activities, and Pancasila student profiles.

This year's activity to introduce the school environment at the SMA/SMK/SLB level has the theme "MPLS 2024-2025 Creating a Quality, Comfortable and Inclusive Learning Environment for All.

"I want all new students at MPLS to be happy and not tense. Build strong character in new students and instill from the start the values of honesty and responsibility," Bey said.

The new students taking part in MPLS are participants who have been declared to have passed PPDB 2024 either through zoning or achievement.

"For students from the zoning route, I suggest that they can walk to school to be healthier because that is one of the goals of the zoning route," said Bey.

From the report submitted by the Acting Head of the West Java Education Service, the implementation of the 2024 PPDB for SMA, SMK and integrated state and some private SLB levels in West Java has accepted 302,713 prospective students (CPD) from 544,324 registrants.

In detail, for public high schools, 173,995 CPDs have been received from 308,222 applicants.

For public vocational schools, 116,672 CPDs have been received from 227,639 applicants.

Meanwhile, 1,106 CPDs from 1,117 registrants have been received for state special schools.

Annulled 277 applicants

Bey revealed that during the PPDB period, his party had annulled 277 applicants.

On average, 223 applicants were disallowed after being caught manipulating residence data, which was disallowed in PPDB stage I. Then 54 applicants were disallowed in stage II.

Bey admitted he was disappointed because the amount disallowed was quite large. However, they must continue to enforce the rules that have been set.

He hopes that next year's PPDB for registrants, especially parents, will no longer manipulate data and must comply with the rules.

"We are actually sad, why parents have to take steps to cheat so that their children are accepted. We hope that next year there will be no more cheating so we don't have to annul it," said Bey.