Minister Claims SPMB Reduces the Practice of Buying and Selling Seats in Favored Schools

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti stated that the implementation of the New Student Admission System (SPMB) has successfully prevented the practice of buying and selling seats in favored schools.

“Alhamdulillah, with this SPMB, the admissions process is conducted transparently, orderly, and there is no buying and selling of seats, especially in schools considered favored,” Mu'ti said during the Integrity Index Education 2026 event at the KPK Building in South Jakarta on Tuesday (6/10/2026).

The SPMB for schools across Indonesia starts and ends differently in each province. However, generally, the SPMB began in June and concluded in July.

Four SPMB Admission Channels

The government is now refining the student admission system through four channels: residence, achievement, affirmation, and mutation.

The achievement channel includes both academic and non-academic accomplishments. Academic achievements are assessed through report cards and academic ability tests, while non-academic achievements cover sports, arts, and leadership.

“Affirmation is a new student admission program for children with special needs and underprivileged families. Then there's the mutation channel. We are making all these systems more open and accountable,” he stated.

He added that the policy is also directed at ensuring that every child in Indonesia has access to quality and equitable education.

“We developed SPMB with an inclusive and equitable philosophy. All Indonesian children have the right to receive quality education that is fair and evenly distributed,” Mu'ti emphasized.