PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Education Office (Disdik) confirmed that the interest mapping process for the 2026 New Student Admissions System (SPMB) will begin on May 25, 2026, for the School of Superior Humans (Maung) and May 29, 2026, for the regular SPMB. All stages are expected to run optimally through cross-sector collaboration across education sectors in regencies/cities across West Java.

This was conveyed by the Head of the West Java Education Office, Purwanto at the Working Meeting and Socialization of the Implementation of SPMB which involved the heads of branch offices, district/city education offices, regional Ministry of Religion, MKKS, and the Working Group of Madrasah Principals from districts/cities throughout West Java at the Dewi Sartika Hall, West Java Education Office, Bandung City, Tuesday (12/5/2026).

"Our target is that the interest registration process, which will take place from May 25 for Maung Schools and May 29 for regular schools, will be completed by the end of each district/city," said the Head of the Education Office.

The Head of the Education Office explained that the Governor of West Java is targeting that all junior high school and Islamic junior high school graduates in West Java will be registered to continue their education to senior high schools, vocational schools, and Islamic senior high schools, both public and private, by mid-June 2026.

According to him, the number of junior high and Islamic junior high school graduates in West Java has reached 826,996, while the capacity of senior high schools, vocational high schools, and Islamic senior high schools is 909,183. Therefore, overall, capacity is considered sufficient.

"In terms of capacity, there's actually no problem. If everyone goes to high schools, vocational schools, and Islamic high schools, they'll be able to accommodate them," he said.

However, he assessed that the main challenge in implementing SPMB is not only about capacity, but also mapping student interests, student distribution, distance, and the sustainability of student education.

Therefore, the West Java Education Office has prepared a mapping phase as a crucial part of this year's SPMB implementation. All junior high and Islamic junior high school graduates will input their interests and school choices through their respective digital accounts. The digital accounts will be distributed from May 18–22, 2026.

"All 826 thousand graduates in West Java must have their own accounts," he stressed.

The Head of Education also requested that all heads of district/city education offices, heads of branch offices, school principals, supervisors, and the Ministry of Religion actively collaborate to assist in the student data input process.

To strengthen this coordination, the West Java Education Office will form a team management office (TMO) in each district/city involving elements of the education office, branch offices, regional Ministry of Religion, SMP MKKS, and Madrasah Working Groups (KKM).

"This TMO is to ensure that our effective teams are working well at the district/city level," he said.

In addition to ensuring the smooth running of the SPMB, the Head of the Education Office also emphasized the importance of recording data on students who discontinue their education. He stated that this is part of the shared responsibility for providing education services in West Java.

The Head of the General Section of the West Java Province Education Quality Assurance Center (BBPMP), Mardi Wibowo, also appreciated the West Java Education Office's steps in strengthening coordination for the implementation of the 2026 SPMB.

"We need to safeguard this SPMB because it is the starting point of our services in providing a sense of justice to the community," said Mardi.

He added that the success of SPMB is not only determined by good regulations, but also by the coordination, communication, and commitment of all parties in maintaining the integrity of its implementation.

"I believe that, under the leadership of the Head of the Service, God willing, the implementation of the SPMB in West Java Province can be much better than in previous years," he concluded. (Apun)