MUHAMMADIYAH.ID, JAKARTA - Coordinator of the Interreligious Education Activist Association (PaPPirus) Listya, M.Hum. conveyed that lack of coordination among local education authorities and bias disseminated by mass media drive a dispute over a school enrollment zoning system. The polemic omits essence of the system.

“Local education authorities are less responsive to educational principles so that public has lack of understanding of the zoning system. They only recognize that the system is only dealing with areas without noticing essential aspects,” declared Listya.

In fact, the zoning system goal is to diminish social gaps.

Listya contended that the zoning system is urgent to implement. Talking about enhancement of educational quality, it is not ideal when only several schools dominate and gain achievements over and over. The zoning system is, in essence, applied for students, teachers, and educational facilities.

“It is better to implement the system now than to be late. Many developed and developing countries have applied the system because its principle is justice and the system ensures children in certain area to access education,” stated Secretary of Office of Primary and Secondary Education (Dikdasmen) of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Alfa Amirachman at ‘Education Talk: Examining Relevance of the School Zoning System’ conducted at Muhammadiyah Office of Jakarta, Friday (28/6).

Alfa thought that it is common that the system bears pros and cons.

“A policy may not satisfy all parties. One of the cons is that some students possess high grades but they cannot study in a favorite school. It does not mean that they cannot be evolved,” asserted Alfa.

“The zoning system aims to distribute education evenly so that a school with all smart students and unchallenged teachers no longer exists. The system principle is about not only competitions but also collaboration among students. Indeed, a great school is safe and accessible for people around it whatever their background is. The policy is positive with principles of equity and equality so that we have to support it,” maintained Alfa.

Additionally, Head of Education Authorities of Tangerang Selatan Taryono revealed Permendikbud PPDB No. 51/2018 and No. 20/2019 have excellent aims. He mentioned areas which has succeeded in implementing the regulation.

“The implementation should be adjusted to conditions of the areas. There are three enrolment systems, namely a zoning system, achievement, and dwelling of a parent. We have mapped the zoning system as a policy of Ministry of Education and Culture, namely acknowledging students’ achievements, financial issues, and disability. Everything run well. If we confront a problem, it is only regarding a registration technique, and it is nothing to do with the zoning system as wrong input or mistyping,” ended Taryono.