The issue emerged again as the Tulungagung Education Office prepared for the upcoming Student Admission System, known locally as SPMB. Officials are reviewing lessons from previous admission periods, when some schools recorded extremely low enrollment numbers.

In one case, a public elementary school admitted only two new students during the last enrollment cycle. The situation highlighted ongoing disparities between schools and raised questions about the long-term sustainability of institutions with declining student populations.

Deni Susanti, secretary of the Tulungagung Education Office, said authorities have developed several strategies to reduce the gap in student enrollment among schools.

“We map student admissions according to designated enrollment areas. We also determine each school’s quota based on an analysis of graduates within that area,” Deni said.

Education officials believe the approach can help distribute students more evenly. For years, some schools have received far more applicants than available seats. At the same time, other schools have struggled to attract enough students to fill classrooms.

The new admission plan aims to create a more balanced enrollment pattern across public elementary schools. Authorities hope the policy will prevent sharp differences in student numbers between neighboring institutions.

Despite these preparations, the Education Office has not yet decided how it will respond if schools continue to receive very small numbers of students during the upcoming admissions process.

Officials plan to conduct a detailed evaluation before making any policy decisions. One option under consideration involves restructuring the school network, including the possibility of merging schools if enrollment levels remain unsustainably low.

“We will analyze the data first before determining the next steps,” Deni said.

The evaluation will examine several factors. Officials will review student numbers, school locations, and teacher-to-student ratios. They will also assess the distance between nearby schools.

According to Deni, schools located within one to three kilometers of each other could become part of future discussions about restructuring. However, authorities have not announced any specific merger plans.

Data from the Education Office show that several public elementary schools have experienced declining student enrollment in recent years. Multiple factors contribute to the trend. Lower birth rates have reduced the number of school-age children. At the same time, many parents prefer to enroll their children in schools that enjoy stronger reputations.

As a result, some schools attract large numbers of applicants while others struggle to maintain enrollment levels.

The outcome of the 2026/2027 Student Admission System will play an important role in future education planning. Local authorities intend to use the results as a basis for evaluating elementary school management across Tulungagung.

If officials identify schools with critically low enrollment, they will conduct further studies before implementing any structural changes. The Education Office says any decision will consider educational quality, accessibility, and long-term sustainability for students and teachers alike.

Officials from the Blitar City Education Office say they have not yet received official instructions concerning educator requirements for the program. The initiative, known as Sekolah Rakyat or People’s School, falls under the authority of Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs.

Muhammad Arifin, Head of the Educator Division at the Blitar City Education Office, said local authorities cannot finalize operational preparations until the government releases the necessary regulations.

“We are still waiting for technical guidelines and more detailed regulations from the central government. So far, we have not received official information regarding teaching staff or implementation mechanisms,” Arifin said.

The Education Office typically handles teacher distribution and workforce planning across schools in the city. However, Arifin explained that his office cannot develop a staffing strategy for the People’s School Program without clear policy direction.

Authorities also need further clarification on several other aspects of the initiative. These include curriculum design, educational facilities, learning support systems, and operational standards.

According to Arifin, those elements serve as the foundation for implementing the program effectively. Without formal guidance, local agencies remain unable to move forward with technical planning.

“We have not received official instructions yet. Therefore, we are waiting for further direction from the ministry responsible for this program,” he said.

While questions remain regarding teachers and school operations, authorities have already begun preliminary work in other areas. The process of identifying prospective students is currently underway through the Social Affairs Office and field facilitators.

Arifin said the Education Office mainly supports public outreach efforts. The agency helps disseminate information and assists with community socialization activities related to the upcoming program.

The student identification process currently falls under the responsibility of social welfare agencies rather than education authorities. As a result, coordination between institutions continues as preparations advance.

Despite the lack of technical guidance, the Education Office has expressed full support for the national initiative. Officials view the program as an important effort to expand educational access for vulnerable communities.

Arifin emphasized that his office stands ready to act once the government issues formal regulations. The agency plans to coordinate with relevant stakeholders and map staffing requirements immediately after receiving official instructions.

“We fully support this program. Once the guidelines become clear, we will follow them according to the authority assigned to us,” he said.

The waiting period highlights the central government’s key role in shaping the operational framework of the People’s School Program. Local authorities in Blitar hope detailed regulations will arrive soon so they can accelerate preparations and ensure a smooth launch.

The policy follows the release of Circular Letter No. 7 of 2026 from Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The regulation addresses the placement of non-civil servant education workers in public schools across the country.

Muhammad Arifin said the new rule will not significantly affect schools in Blitar City because the number of non-ASN teachers remains relatively small.

According to data from the Blitar City Education Office, 28 non-ASN teachers currently still work in public schools. The figure includes 16 elementary school teachers, 10 junior high school teachers, and two kindergarten teachers.

“Non-ASN teachers who already entered the official database can continue working until December 31, 2026,” Arifin said on Tuesday.

He explained that local schools can continue operating normally because the city government has already prepared a budgeting system for education personnel. Funding arrangements follow Mayor Regulation No. 43 concerning teacher and education staff fulfillment.

Because of that preparation, the latest circular has not triggered major uncertainty among teachers or school administrators in Blitar.

“In Blitar City, the situation remains under control because the budgeting mechanism already exists,” Arifin explained.

He added that the local government no longer uses the term “honorary teacher” in official administrative systems. Authorities now classify education workers into several categories, including civil servants, government contract employees, and support service personnel.

Even so, Blitar City still faces teacher shortages in several schools. The Education Office estimates the city needs around 1,100 educators to fully meet staffing demands.

Current staffing levels still fall below that target. As a result, some schools continue depending on non-ASN personnel to support daily teaching activities.

“Teacher shortages still exist because staffing needs have not been fully fulfilled,” Arifin said.

He also compared conditions in Blitar with other regions in Indonesia, where the number of non-ASN teachers can reach hundreds or even thousands.

“In some regions, the number is much higher. Blitar City only has 28 non-ASN educators,” he added.

The ministry’s circular has sparked concern in several areas because many schools still rely heavily on temporary teachers to maintain classroom learning.

Some local governments now face pressure to adjust staffing policies while ensuring students continue receiving proper education services.

However, officials in Blitar believe the transition process can move forward smoothly because the city already established financial support and workforce planning systems.

The Education Office also continues evaluating recruitment plans and staffing needs for the coming academic years. Authorities aim to maintain stable learning activities while gradually adjusting to national education policies.

For now, non-ASN teachers in Blitar City can continue carrying out their duties while waiting for further government policy developments.

Public policy observer and academic Andreas Andrie Djatmiko said the issue became more complicated after the recent Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) sting operation. At the same time, schools are entering a transition period under new education regulations.

He said schools are adjusting to Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Regulation (Permendikdasmen) No. 7 of 2025. This situation makes leadership uncertainty even more dangerous for daily school operations.

“The polemic over school principal appointments has a major impact on school operations, especially during this regulatory transition,” Andreas said on Tuesday (April 28).

He explained that one of the biggest concerns involves administrative validity. Acting principals only have limited authority when signing important documents such as diplomas, report cards, and budget accountability reports.

If officials do not solve this problem quickly, schools could face legal complications. The risk becomes higher because many schools are approaching the end of the academic semester.

Budget management also faces serious threats. Schools may struggle to disburse and manage School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds and other education budgets without definitive principals.

Andreas also warned about internal school performance. The absence of permanent leadership can reduce teacher motivation and slow strategic decision-making inside schools.

Teachers and staff often need clear direction from a definitive principal. Without that leadership, policy decisions become slower and school programs lose momentum.

“This uncertainty can reduce the performance of teachers and staff because there is no permanent leader to make policy decisions,” he said.

He also highlighted risks to teachers’ professional allowance payments. Problems with invalid or incomplete administration could delay certification allowance disbursement.

Teaching and learning activities still continue in schools. However, Andreas said many school programs cannot run at their full potential without stable and definitive leadership.

“If this continues, the impact could be severe for education in Tulungagung,” he stressed.

He urged the Tulungagung Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) to do more than supervision. He asked lawmakers to actively push the regional executive to speed up the appointment process.

The need for administrative certainty has become urgent because schools are nearing the end of the semester. This period requires official signatures and legal accountability for many documents.

“The DPRD should also encourage the acting regent to accelerate the process so it does not drag on, while still complying with existing laws and regulations,” he added.

The Tulungagung regency administration is now accelerating the appointment of 139 definitive school principals. Officials expect to complete most appointments this week and finish the rest next week.

They hope this move will end the long-running controversy. They also expect it to restore proper education governance across Tulungagung schools.

Officials say they have completed the main administrative requirements to support the acceleration plan. The move aims to ensure stronger school leadership and improve education management across the regency.

Acting Head of the Tulungagung Education Office, Deni Susanti, said her office welcomed instructions from Acting Regent Ahmad Baharudin to speed up the appointment of permanent principals.

“Administratively, we have prepared the data and mapped the vacant positions,” Deni said on Thursday (April 23). “Our main focus is to ensure the process follows regulations so school leadership can become stable and learning quality can improve.”

She explained that the 139 principal positions cover three education levels. The vacancies include 3 kindergarten positions, 124 elementary schools, and 12 junior high schools.

According to Deni, the office is not using domicile as the main factor for placement. Instead, officials are matching candidates based on school needs and professional qualifications.

She said this mapping process is important because the government wants principals who can do more than fill administrative requirements. Officials also expect them to improve education quality in each school.

In addition, the Education Office wants every stage to comply with existing regulations. This step will help prevent legal and administrative problems in the future.

“The most important things are legal certainty and leadership quality,” she added. “After these appointments become definitive, we want schools to operate without obstacles and maintain education standards.”

Previously, the Tulungagung regency government set a target to fill all vacant principal positions and replace acting principals with definitive appointments as soon as possible.

Authorities believe the policy will resolve administrative issues and strengthen education management throughout the region.

Acting Regent Ahmad Baharudin confirmed that officials have entered the final stage of the process. He said the administration has coordinated with the local education office and now focuses on completing the remaining requirements.

“We have discussed the remaining 21 schools. We will fill these positions soon,” he said.

Earlier, the government issued 118 appointment decrees for acting principals (Plt). The previous regent signed most of them, and authorities already distributed those documents to schools. However, 21 schools did not receive appointments at that time, so officials now prioritize their completion.

“Most of the earlier decrees are already in place. We are now completing the remaining 21,” Baharudin explained.

He added that the administration wants to move quickly toward permanent appointments. Officials plan to finalize definitive principals in the near term.

“We aim to appoint definitive principals as early as next week,” he said.

Still, the government will not automatically confirm all acting principals. Officials will evaluate candidates carefully and select those who meet the required criteria.

“We will review and filter candidates. Many factors will guide the selection process,” he added.

Earlier this year, administrative issues disrupted school operations. Some schools lacked official decrees between February and March, which delayed access to school operational funds (BOS).

“Without official documents, schools could not complete the required signatures for BOS disbursement. We will coordinate with the Home Affairs Ministry to resolve this,” he said.

Now, officials report that conditions have improved. Schools should face no further issues accessing funds from April onward.

At the same time, Baharudin firmly rejected allegations of corruption in the appointment process. He denied claims of “buying and selling positions” and urged anyone with evidence to report it.

“I have never been involved in such practices. If anyone has proof, report it and we will take action,” he said.

He acknowledged that such rumors often emerge during bureaucratic transitions. However, he stressed the importance of clear evidence before authorities take action.

“Rumors can happen, but we need solid data to follow up,” he added.

Officials also confirmed that previously signed acting principal decrees remain valid. The government will continue to use those documents because the former regent signed them while still in office.

Fendi Herlambang, a parent from Tulungagung district, criticized the food his child received at school. During Ramadan, schools provide dry meal packages. He said the package contained only three items, mainly dates and boiled eggs.

He also said students at one public elementary school received boiled eggs with dirt still stuck to the shells. “It only contains dates and boiled eggs. What does the nutrition unit actually do? The government has allocated a large budget. If this is the result, it is pointless,” he said.

Parents also criticized the packaging because vendors used thin plastic bags. They said this showed little attention to hygiene and food quality. Fendi questioned whether the meal price matched what students received.

“If suppliers buy ingredients at traditional markets, costs should be lower. Quality should be considered, not just convenience,” he said.

Officials confirmed that many residents reported the issue to the local task force hotline since early Ramadan. Johanes Bagus Kuncoro, head of the Tulungagung Free Nutritious Meal task force, said his team forwarded the complaints to the regional office of the National Nutrition Agency.

Task force secretary Sony Welly Ahmadi said officers logged each complaint and coordinated directly with the agency. Residents questioned both the price per portion and the menu quality.

“We documented all complaints and coordinated with the National Nutrition Agency regional office. Many reports mention price mismatch and food suitability,” he said.

Sony said meal costs range from 8,000 to 15,000 rupiah per portion. Some schools receive meals daily, while others receive several days’ supply at once. He added that the task force still waits for official guidance from the agency on pricing standards and field procedures.

The agency plans to inspect local Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units that prepare the meals. Tulungagung coordinator Sebrina Mahardika said her office is still investigating and will release an official statement soon.

The Ramadan school hours Trenggalek policy started on 23 February. Authorities adjusted schedules to support fasting students without limiting access to learning. The Education Office told schools to serve students of all faiths equally.

Education Office head Agoes Setiyono said the policy follows national guidance and a regent’s circular on Ramadan work hours. He stressed that religious diversity in classrooms must remain respected.

“Schools must provide equal education. Non-Muslim students should receive character learning that fits their beliefs and needs,” he said.

Classes still begin at 7:00 a.m., but each period is 10 minutes shorter. Junior secondary lessons now last 30 minutes instead of 40. Primary sessions run 25 minutes instead of 35. Early-childhood centers may adjust schedules flexibly.

Schools will also use Ramadan to strengthen spiritual values among Muslim students. Activities include Quran reading, short talks, and group prayers. Meanwhile, schools must offer alternative programs for non-Muslim students.

“We do not want any student to feel excluded. All students must receive meaningful learning and character development,” Agoes said.

The Education Office also asked teachers to reduce homework during Ramadan. Teachers should adapt methods, especially in physical subjects like sports. Officials expect schools to keep learning engaging while protecting student health during fasting.

The teachers demanded higher pay, saying their current monthly salary of Rp 350,000 – about $22 – does not reflect their workload. During the rally, teacher representatives joined a public hearing with local lawmakers to formally present their concerns.

Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo said he was out of town during the protest but closely monitored developments through staff updates and direct communication with DPRD leaders.

“I followed the situation and received a full report,” he said.

He acknowledged the teachers’ concerns but urged them to prioritize dialogue over mass demonstrations.

Gatut said teachers could have sent representatives instead of mobilizing a large crowd. He warned that large gatherings carry risks.

“I worry that certain individuals could exploit such events and disrupt local stability,” he said.

He stressed that the administration values open communication. However, he believes discussions should remain constructive and controlled.

The protest reflects growing frustration among part-time P3K (Government Employees with Work Agreements) teachers. Many argue their compensation falls far below a living wage.

Despite the pressure, the regent emphasized that fiscal realities limit immediate action.

He said the regional budget remains tight and may face continued strain through 2026. While Tulungagung coordinates with the central government, financial space remains limited.

“Our budget is under pressure. We must measure our capacity carefully,” he said.

He added that officials must calculate any salary adjustment thoroughly to prevent future deficits.

“If our finances allow, we will act. But we must ensure long-term stability,” he said.

Gatut also referred to guidance from President Prabowo Subianto, who has urged regional leaders to maintain stability and keep development programs on track.

The local government has not set a timeline for a decision. However, Gatut assured teachers that officials will study the proposal carefully.

“We respect their aspirations and will consider them seriously,” he said.

The debate highlights broader national concerns over P3K employment terms, wage levels, and contract security. Similar salary concerns have surfaced in other regions.

For now, the fate of the P3K teachers salary increase depends on budget reviews and policy discussions within the regional government. Officials say they aim to balance fiscal responsibility with fair compensation in the education sector.