Education Politics and Social Justice
One of the prominent issues of our education politics is the zoning system that is applied in the new students admissions process (PPDB). Even though it has been applied for three years, controversy still surrounds the practice.
In the 2019-2020 academic year, the Education and Culture Ministerial Decree No. 51/2018 regulates three approaches for admitting new students. The zoning system has the highest quota at 90 percent, while the achievement path and family relocations each have a quota of 5 percent.
Kompas daily (15/6/2019) reported that the zoning system intended to provide equal access to education services and quality. Therefore, the paradigm of superior and suburban schools no longer exists. However, Kompas also reported that the zoning system had not completely removed the superior vs suburban schools stereotype in society. Thus, the regional government must be firm in immediately implementing the 90 percent PPDB quota.
Autonomy and zoning
The regional government is indeed the spearhead in implementing the zoning policy, since regional autonomy provides ample room. In practice, not all regions have fully implemented the zoning system for a variety of reasons. However, this will soon be inevitable, as they are facing increasing demands to continue improving to realize fair, non-discriminatory and advanced education. The tradition of applying a quota to certain schools by those of the educational oligarch is, by default, being pushed aside in stages, and it is hoped that this will be eradicated when the zoning system must be inevitably and effectively implemented.
Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy has emphasized on various occasions that implementing the zoning system would equalize the quality of schools. The system was implemented so that the “favorite” and “poor” status will no longer apply to certain schools and the “poor” status to other schools. Each school has the same basic standards in terms of no longer teaching and facilities. The “favorite” and “poor” classifications of schools must be eliminated because it goes against fairness.
The zoning policy would even encourage all schools to become “favorite”. Therefore, the implementation of the zoning policy is not merely limited to new student admissions. According to Muhadjir Effendy, zoning-oriented education politics will replace the macro approach with the micro, zoning-based approach in resolving education issues. Zoning policy requires the rotation or redistribution and improvement of teachers’ skills and educational facilities, as well as adequate education infrastructure. With zoning as its basis, education issues can be mapped in a more detailed, targeted and equitable way.
Therefore, it is not just students that play an important role, but also teachers and parents. Popular teachers at favorite schools will have the opportunity to teach at “non-favorite” schools. This will result in equal experience and opportunities that benefit all schools. Parents’ concerns will also be immediately alleviated, since they will actually gain an open and proactive, participatory role in accelerating school development and progress. Educational development, which is the active responsibility of all parties, will gain momentum while breaking down discriminatory perceptions.
All can realize their potential with the guidance of qualified teachers and the proactive supervision of their parents.
Comprehensive Implementation of the zoning system will also raise opportunities for students in one class to share amongst each other. Students whose parents initially feared would not gain admission to favorite schools, can contribute to fostering a spirit of shared learning to pursue achievements in an atmosphere of togetherness. All can realize their potential with the guidance of qualified teachers and the proactive supervision of their parents.
A good culture, mutual sharing and mutual cooperation, of course, further encourages public understanding that schools everywhere are equally good, and that students will have the same opportunity to advance and excel anywhere.
However, the zoning policy, apart from the resistance that has emerged towards its application during the current era of transition, is an integral part of a revolution in education. Its success is seen not only in the short term, but it is also critical for the long term amidst the government’s efforts to encourage the realization of quality human resources in Indonesia.
Realizing social justice
Social justice is an important keyword in implementing the zoning policy. However, this does not mean that the development of equitability will collide with professionalism in education. All things can continue with the hard work of all parties. In this case, the government’s zoning policy should be viewed objectively, free from the subjective interests of the respective parties.
In a broader context, the state has a responsibility to realize social justice for all Indonesians. Education in Indonesia has a function to "educate the life of the nation" (Preamble of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia), so its application must be non-discriminatory, transparent and fair.
The philosophy and goals of the zoning policy can be immediately understood in this context. The zoning policy consists of affirmative aspects as well as empowerment. Education indeed requires competition. The zoning policy does not prevent the dynamics of academic competition, but places it equitably. To borrow from the Education and Culture Minister, class should not exist in education, or the favored and inferior castes in this context.
The admission system that prioritizes invitations to favorite schools or accords them a higher quota must be eliminated. All must be based on competition.
The zoning policy, when it is understood as leading to the realization of social justice, is not restricted to primary and secondary education, and also applies to higher education. Coordination is needed between the Education and Culture Ministry and the Research and Higher Education Ministry, primarily regarding new student admissions for all state universities (PTN). The admission system that prioritizes invitations to favorite schools or accords them a higher quota must be eliminated. All must be based on competition.
Zoning politics
Society and all stakeholders should be positive in welcoming the government’s education zoning policy, because it is closely linked to the broader issue of social justice. The idea is to find a solid philosophical foundation – despite the resistance it still faces during this transitional period – amid the stereotype of favorite schools that still remains strong, and the concerns of many parents who feel as if they have been condemned when they cannot enroll their children at such schools.
Education is the way to the future. It can be realized together in a just manner. The zoning policy, under the consistent implementation of the government, paves the way. Educating the life of the nation evenly and equitably, but also to result in good achievements, is a necessity that can be realized. The zoning policy is a revolutionary way to do so.
M Alfan Alfian, Postgraduate Lecturer in Political Sciences; Member of Central Management of HIPIIS