In a bid to reform Indonesia’s notoriously problematic school enrollment process, the government rolled out a new system earlier this year. Known as the SPMB, it promised fairer access to quality education. Yet, just months after its debut in June, reports of fraud, bribery, and technical glitches have cast a shadow over the initiative, prompting calls for urgent corrective measures and stricter oversight.
A Troubled Legacy of Enrollment Systems
Indonesia’s education system has long grappled with inequities in school admissions, particularly for junior and senior high schools, where competition for spots at top institutions is fierce. The previous system, known as PPDB, reserved half of all seats for students living near a school, with the remainder allocated across categories like affirmative action for low-income families and students with disabilities, children of parents relocated for work, and high-achieving students. However, this structure frequently led to fraudulent practices, with parents outside designated zones forging documents or using other means to secure coveted placements.
The SPMB, launched in January by Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti, sought to address these flaws by reducing the quota for local students and increasing allocations for affirmative action and high-achieving students. The intent was to prioritize merit and need over proximity, especially in competitive secondary schools. Yet, as admissions opened last month, familiar issues have resurfaced, exposing gaps in preparation and enforcement. 
Reports of Fraud and Misconduct
Across the archipelago, allegations of illicit practices have emerged, undermining public trust in the new system. In Banten province, a high-profile scandal unfolded last week involving Budi Prajogo, the provincial council deputy speaker from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). According to a report by Kompas.com, Prajogo signed a memo stating “please assist and follow up” on a student’s application. While he claimed the memo was signed at a staff member’s request for a low-income student he did not know personally, the incident led to his removal from the deputy speakership role by the PKS on Monday.
Elsewhere, in South Sulawesi, the Parepare city administration formed a special team to investigate alleged seat-buying practices after students under the zoning scheme were rejected, as reported by Antara. Another case highlighted by IDNTimes.com revealed a student’s affirmative action application being revoked after authorities discovered their parents had falsified documents to appear as a low-income family.
These incidents are not isolated. The Indonesian Ombudsman, which set up nationwide complaint channels in April to monitor the SPMB rollout, has noted that many issues from the old PPDB system persist. “Classic complaints are still widespread this year,” said Indraza Marzuki Rais, a member of the Ombudsman, on Tuesday. He suggested that while complaints may have decreased in some areas, this could reflect growing public apathy rather than genuine improvement.
Insufficient Preparation and Oversight
Critics argue that the recurrence of these problems stems from inadequate preparation and weak oversight by local education agencies. According to the Ombudsman, of over 500 cities and regencies nationwide, only about 100 have accurately mapped out allocations for each enrollment category under the SPMB. This lack of coordination has fueled confusion and opportunities for misconduct.
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has also criticized the Education Ministry and local offices for failing to prepare adequately for the transition from PPDB to SPMB. Issues range from poor dissemination of information to parents to technical hiccups in the online registration process. “The transition from PPDB to SPMB inevitably brings some changes. But this does not excuse technical issues that should have been mitigated and fraudulent practices that violate children’s rights to education,” said KPAI commissioner Aris Adi Leksono on Tuesday.
The KPAI’s concerns underscore a broader systemic challenge: ensuring that policy changes are matched with robust implementation. Without clear communication and technical readiness, parents are left vulnerable to exploitation by brokers or tempted to engage in bribery and back-channel appeals to secure school placements for their children.
Government Response and Challenges Ahead
The Education Ministry has acknowledged some of the challenges but maintains that the issues are not widespread. In a video statement released last week, Gogot Suharwoto, the ministry’s director general for early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, described the SPMB implementation as generally smooth. “In general, the SPMB implementation has so far run smoothly and without any significant obstacles,” he said. “Any issues or challenges that have arisen in the field have been resolved quickly as of today.”
Suharwoto also urged local education agencies to take decisive action against misconduct, emphasizing that the ministry has established clear procedures for investigating violations, revoking admissions, and punishing those responsible. However, with reports of fraud continuing to surface, questions remain about the effectiveness of these mechanisms and whether they can address deeply entrenched practices.
Broader Implications for Education Equity
The troubled rollout of the SPMB highlights a persistent tension in Indonesia’s education system: the balance between access and integrity. While the new system aims to prioritize disadvantaged and high-achieving students, its success hinges on the ability of local governments to enforce rules and prevent abuse. Without stronger oversight, the reforms risk becoming another missed opportunity to address long-standing disparities in access to quality schooling.
For many Indonesian families, securing a place at a reputable school is seen as a pathway to social mobility, particularly in urban areas where top schools are oversubscribed. This high-stakes environment creates fertile ground for fraud, as parents go to great lengths to ensure their children’s future. The involvement of brokers and back-channel dealings further complicates the issue, often exploiting vulnerable families who lack the resources or knowledge to navigate the system legally.
Moreover, the digital divide adds another layer of complexity. The SPMB relies heavily on online registration, but not all parents—especially in rural areas—have access to the necessary technology or internet connectivity. This can exacerbate existing inequalities, leaving some families at a disadvantage even before issues of fraud come into play.
Public Trust and the Path Forward
As the government works to salvage the SPMB’s reputation, rebuilding public trust will be paramount. Education is a cornerstone of Indonesia’s development ambitions, and any perception of unfairness in school admissions can erode confidence in broader governance structures. The Ombudsman and KPAI have called for immediate corrective actions, including better training for local officials, improved transparency in the admissions process, and harsher penalties for those caught engaging in fraudulent practices.
Some experts also suggest that the government consider hybrid models that combine elements of zoning with merit-based and need-based criteria, while investing in capacity building for schools in underserved areas. This could reduce the intense competition for a small number of elite institutions and create a more equitable distribution of educational resources.
For now, the SPMB’s early struggles serve as a reminder of the challenges inherent in reforming complex systems. As Indonesia continues to refine its approach, the stakes remain high—not just for students and parents, but for the nation’s commitment to fairness and opportunity in education. Will the government’s promises of reform translate into meaningful change, or will the cycle of fraud and frustration persist? Only time, and sustained effort, will tell.
