Alleged Extortion Practices Resurface in Kediri Region: SMA 1 Papar Demands IDR 1.5 Million from Students’ Parents
Kediri – tarnabakunews.com
Parents are crying out. After their children were not accepted through any of the 2025 SPMB admission tracks, parents took the initiative to find a state school by visiting the Kediri Branch Office of the Education Department. They were met by the SPMB committee and directed to SMAN 1 Papar, which reportedly still had vacant quota slots. (22/07/2025)
After being accepted into SMAN 1 Papar, one of the students’ parents expressed frustration to this news outlet, stating that they were suddenly asked to pay a “committee fee” of IDR 1.5 million, along with an additional “thank-you donation” for being assisted in getting admitted outside of the official system—namely, through the remaining quota.
“I came to SMAN 1 Papar on Thursday, 17/07, and during the meeting, I was asked for a committee fee of IDR 1.5 million. I haven’t even bought the uniform fabric yet, and now there’s this additional donation required for students admitted at the last minute. There were many other parents with me at the meeting. Actually, my child’s school of choice wasn’t SMAN 1 Papar, but rather than my child not going to a public high school at all, I followed the Education Office’s recommendation for schools that still had quota—like SMAN Papar, Gurah, Ngadiluwih, Wates, Plosoklaten. Private schools cost more, so I chose the one closest to home, SMAN 1 Papar. But I didn’t expect all these additional charges,” said the parent, who requested to remain anonymous.
“This is clearly a violation. Parents are being exploited to satisfy the school’s desires, asking for sums of money without any clear explanation of what it’s for. They just say ‘committee fee,’ simply because my child was accepted outside of the online system through remaining quota, and now the school feels entitled to ask for a donation under the guise of gratitude,” the parent continued.
Saiful Iskak, Chairperson of the RATU Kediri NGO, was outraged and deeply regretted the levies imposed by SMAN 1 Papar, Kediri Regency. He emphasized that the government has already allocated significant funding for education, including BOS (School Operational Assistance), BPOPP, KIP, and GNOTA programs for students. These additional charges are prone to violating regulations and could result in budgetary double-counting alongside government funds. According to Ministerial Regulation of Education and Culture No. 44 of 2012, if a school requests a fee without clear purpose, it is considered extortion,” he explained.
According to him, various excuses are often used to seek personal or group gain under the guise of “donations,” which are often fully backed by the school committee.
Saiful further stated that such practices clearly violate existing regulations, including Permendikbud No. 44 of 2012 and Permendikbud No. 75 of 2016 concerning School Committees, which strictly prohibit forced fees or donations, especially from students’ parents. It also breaches Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, specifically Article 12, Letter E.
“Hopefully, this serves as a lesson to all parties so that such practices of extortion and gratification that harm the public—especially parents—no longer occur. In the near future, I will report this case and we will organize a demonstration in front of the Kediri District Attorney’s Office to urge immediate action,” Saiful concluded.
Meanwhile, officials from SMAN 1 Papar, both the Principal and the School Committee, have yet to respond to requests for confirmation as of the time this article was published and aired.
Reporter: F.A / Alvin
Editor: Dewi Condro
Redaksi: tarnabakunews.com – Santai, Santun, Supel, Simpel, Sembodo. Tetap dengan Sorot Mata, Berita Fakta, Bukan Rekayasa.
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