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Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno (center), issuing a press statement in Jakarta on Friday (November 22, 2024). (ANTARA/Asep Firmansyah/rst)

VOI News, Jakarta:  Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno will discuss the proposal to eliminate the school zoning system with Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti.

"We have not discussed it and will confirm it with Minister Mu'ti," Pratikno said on Friday as reported by Antara News Agency (22/11).

Earlier, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has asked Minister Mu'ti to eliminate the school zoning system in new student admissions (PPDB).

"During a meeting with the heads of education services, I stated to the Minister of Education regarding the elimination of the zoning system,"he said.

According to him, education is key for building a golden generation and Golden Indonesia 2045, therefore it is important to provide conveniences in accessing education.

Pratikno said he had heard the proposal from the vice president, and it is being processed by the minister of primary and secondary education.

Meanwhile, Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) said that the elimination of the school zoning system in PPDB must consider the aspirations conveyed by the community to the government so that it has a positive impact on the education sector.

"We should listen to the opinions of the public and stakeholders by inviting stakeholders, including Minister Mu'ti, education services, teachers, parents, and education observers, to discuss the effectiveness of zoning and public complaints," Commission X chair Hetifah Sjaifudian said.

Besides gathering opinions, the impact of the PPDB zoning system must be studied first, including conducting an in-depth evaluation of its positive and negative impacts since the system was implemented, she added.

According to her, the zoning system in PPDB is aimed at providing closer access to education, reducing disparities in school quality, and preventing discrimination in education.

However, Sjaifudian agreed that the system has its own flaws, such as the unpreparedness of educational facilities in various regions and disparities in quality between schools.