IDIndonesia's Primary and Secondary Education Ministry is developing new policies to address schools with low student enrollment, collaborating with regional governments. Factors contributing to low enrollment include changes in school-age populations, mobility patterns, urban development, public preferences, and geographic differences. The ministry used data from the Basic Education Data System (Dapodik) to identify schools with fewer than 100 students, which was shared with the Home Affairs Ministry for inter-ministerial coordination. Proposed strategies include enhancing teaching quality, teacher training, and infrastructure improvements. The ministry plans to map educational needs based on demographics, align school capacity with regional demand, improve data-driven planning, and provide targeted support to under-enrolled schools. A 2025 Kompas study noted increasing parental preference for religiously affiliated schools, which the minister acknowledged as a factor influencing enrollment trends.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced overview of the issue, citing official statements and data collection methods without overtly favoring any particular perspective. It includes references to both governmental actions and external research (Kompas study) while emphasizing collaboration between national
