PPDB Now Changes to SPMB, Check the New Rules for Student Admissions in Junior High and High School

Kapanlagi.com - The 2025 school year will be a historic moment for the education sector in Indonesia, with the official change of the name from New Student Admission (PPDB) to New Student Admission System (SPMB). The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) assures that this change is not just a mere change of terminology, but is also accompanied by a number of new regulations that will affect the student selection process at the junior high and senior high school levels.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, in a press conference held in Jakarta on Thursday (30/1/2025), emphasized that the new system is designed to improve access and the quality of education in the country.

"We would like to inform you that there are four pathways for new student admissions: the first is based on the domicile or residence of the student, the second is based on achievements, the third is the affirmative pathway, and the fourth is the mutation pathway," said Abdul Mu'ti in the press conference in Jakarta, Thursday (30/1/2025), as quoted by ANTARA.

One of the most striking changes in SPMB is the elimination of the zoning system that previously served as the main pathway in PPDB. With this step, the government provides more flexibility to prospective students through four more inclusive admission pathways: domicile, affirmative, mutation, and achievements. This decision was made after listening to various inputs from the community regarding the challenges faced in the old zoning system.

Summarized by Kapanlagi.com from various sources on Thursday (30/1/2025), here is a complete explanation of the four pathways for new student admissions.

1. Residential Pathway: Replacing Zoning with New Adjustments

In an innovative step, the residential system now replaces the zoning system in the New Student Admissions Selection (SPMB), bringing a breath of fresh air to the education sector.

Although both systems have similarities, this change presents significant differences, especially in the quota arrangements that are adjusted according to the policies of each region.

According to Abdul Mu'ti, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, this name change aims to address public misunderstandings that perceive student admissions as only through zoning pathways.

By still considering the distance between the prospective students' residences and the target schools, the residential pathway mechanism offers more flexibility in determining the admission quotas in each area.

It is hoped that this change can better meet the needs of the community and provide broader opportunities for prospective students.

2. Affirmative Pathway: More Quotas for Underprivileged Students

The affirmative pathway is now more widely open for students from underprivileged families and persons with disabilities, with a significant increase in quotas in the SPMB system compared to before. This step is taken to provide more opportunities for them to pursue education in quality schools.

Although there are no major changes in the system, the addition of acceptance percentages in the affirmative pathway is expected to bridge the educational access gap, allowing more children who have struggled to secure a place in public schools to achieve their dreams.

3. Mutation Pathway: A Solution for Employees' Children Who Move

The mutation pathway in SPMB now comes as a breath of fresh air for students who have to change schools due to their parents' assignments, as well as providing special opportunities for the children of teachers who teach at certain schools.

Previously, the quota for this pathway was very limited, making it difficult for many students to transfer mid-school year. With this new policy, the government is committed to providing better solutions for families who frequently relocate due to work.

Although the details of the quotas to be allocated have not been revealed, the public can look forward to more information ahead of the 2025 SPMB registration.

4. Achievement Pathway: Additional Leadership Category

The latest innovation in SPMB brings a breath of fresh air with the addition of a leadership category in the achievement pathway. Previously, this pathway only recognized achievements in academic and non-academic fields such as sports and arts, but now students who actively participate as members of student councils, scouts, or other organizations have a greater chance of being accepted into their dream schools.

By including leadership as one of the criteria, it is hoped that students will be more motivated to engage in extracurricular activities, thereby fostering a spirit of leadership and active participation in the school environment.

5. Does this change apply to all levels of education?

6. How to register through the domicile pathway?

7. Can students from outside the region register through SPMB?

8. Are there any changes in the age requirements for registration?

(kpl/rmt)