PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Government (Pemprov) ensures that all students from underprivileged families will still have access to education, both in public and private schools, in the implementation of the 2026 New Student Admission System (SPMB).

The Head of the West Java (Jabar) Education Office (Kadisdik), Purwanto, emphasized that the government has prepared financial support for poor residents who fall into deciles 1, 2, and 3.

"If they attend private schools, we'll pay for them. If they attend public schools, we'll provide them free of charge," he said at the West Java SPMB Kick-Off for Senior High Schools (SMA), Vocational High Schools (SMK), and Special Needs High Schools (SLB) at the Arcamanik Sports Complex in Bandung on Monday (May 18, 2026).

The Head of the Education Office explained that the assistance covers not only tuition fees but also students' personal needs, such as uniforms, shoes, and other school supplies. "Personal costs such as shoes, uniforms, and other necessities are also covered by the government," he said.

He emphasized that this commitment is part of the West Java Provincial Government's commitment to ensuring that no child drops out of school for economic reasons. "No poor child in West Java Province should be left out of school. They must remain in school, whether in public or private schools," he stressed.

In addition to ensuring education funding, the West Java Education Office will also optimize the capacity of public and private schools to ensure that all junior high school graduates can continue their education. "We will optimize the capacity of both public and private schools," he said.

For areas without adequate access to public schools, the government is still preparing support schools with class sizes tailored to needs. "These support schools can have classes with more than 36 to 40 students because there are no public schools in those areas or they are located far away," he said.

The SPMB Kick Off marks the beginning of public awareness campaigns regarding the various stages of the 2026 SPMB implementation, including access to educational services for all students in West Java.

(Rep pun/bhf)