Jakarta’s 498th Anniversary Lights Up Kota Tua with Culture and Celebration

 Jakarta, June 22, 2025 – In celebration of its 498th anniversary, the city of Jakarta held a spectacular public event at Fatahillah Square in Kota Tua, drawing thousands of visitors from across the city and beyond.

Organized by the Jakarta Provincial Government, the celebration kicked off in the afternoon and lasted until late evening. The square was transformed into a cultural stage featuring Betawi traditional music, ondel-ondel parades, and a dramatic storytelling of Jakarta’s origin as “Jayakarta”, established on June 22, 1527.

The highlight of the night was a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance at the Wayang Museum, where a young dalang presented a classical tale with modern elements. The event concluded with a dazzling fireworks display that lit up the night sky.

Vice Governor of Jakarta stated, “This celebration is not only about honoring Jakarta’s history, but also about strengthening our connection to the city’s cultural roots.”

For many, the event offered a meaningful and festive way to experience Jakarta’s heritage. “It was beautiful and full of energy. I felt proud to be a part of it,” said Woozi, a tourist visitor.

Tangerang City Successfully Implements Online SPMB for Elementary Schools

 Tangerang, June 18, 2025 — The 2025/2026 New Student Admission Selection (SPMB) for elementary schools in Tangerang City was carried out fully online and has concluded successfully, with the process running smoothly, transparently, and free from illegal levies.

The Department of Education of Tangerang City confirmed that all phases—from pre-registration, Phase I online admission, to document verification—proceeded on schedule and without major technical issues. The digital platform used, accessible through spmbmandiri.tangerangkota.go.id, was praised for improving accessibility for parents and increasing transparency in the admission process.

“We deeply appreciate the active participation of the community. Everything went smoothly thanks to the cooperation of parents, school principals, and the technical team. This proves that our online system is well-prepared and effective,” said Hj. Siti Rahmawati, S.Pd., M.Pd., Head of the Tangerang City Education Office.

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Multi-Track Admission and Transparent Scoring

This year’s SPMB included various enrollment tracks:

• Affirmation Track (for low-income families)

• Disability Track

• Parental Transfer Track

• Domicile Track (ranging from neighborhood-level to outside Tangerang City)

Each track was evaluated using a point-based system, verified residence documentation, and other digital criteria. Parents were required to upload official documents and follow detailed instructions provided in the form of written guides and video tutorials.

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Positive Feedback from Parents

Many parents expressed appreciation for the online process, noting the convenience and clarity of the digital system. The absence of in-person visits helped reduce costs and logistical burdens.

“At first I was hesitant about the online process, but it turned out to be well-structured and easy to follow. Thank you to everyone involved,” said Mrs. Diah, a parent from Poris District.

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Zero Tolerance for Bribery and a Commitment to Integrity

The Tangerang City Government reiterated its commitment to a zero-bribery policy throughout the SPMB process. All officials and committee members were required to sign an integrity pact to ensure accountability and fairness, and to eliminate backdoor admissions.

“We want to ensure that every child has a fair opportunity, free from pressure or influence,” added Hj. Siti Rahmawati, S.Pd., M.Pd., Head of the Tangerang City Education Office

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Next Steps and Announcement Timeline

Following the completion of Phase I, a Phase II registration will be opened if there are still available seats. The results are scheduled to be announced progressively between June 4 and June 17, 2025, depending on the admission track. Parents of accepted students can then proceed with online re-registration, eliminating the need for school visits.

2025 SMP Diploma Blank Form Socialization: New Standards and Essential Steps for Schools

Tangerang, June 2, 2025 — The 2024/2025 academic year brings important updates to the issuance of junior high school (SMP) diplomas in Indonesia. The Directorate of Junior High Schools under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology held an online socialization event to thoroughly explain the new procedures and standards for issuing SMP diploma blank forms in 2025. This initiative aims to prepare all schools to comply with the latest regulations and ensure a smooth graduation process for students.

What’s new this year? The diploma issuance process now incorporates a fully integrated digital system that guarantees data accuracy and document authenticity. The diplomas will be printed on high-quality A4-sized paper with a minimum weight of 80 gsm, ensuring a professional and durable certificate.

Key points schools need to focus on include:

• Early Student Data Validation: Data correction and verification should start as early as 7th grade to avoid errors during diploma issuance.

• Issuance of Diploma Numbers and Graduation Decrees: Administrative steps are structured and monitored through an online system.

• Photo Attachment and Digital Signatures: Student photos and the principal’s digital signatures must be affixed on the diploma blanks before printing, replacing traditional manual signatures.

• Submission of a Legally Binding Statement (SPTJM): Schools are required to upload this stamped document as proof of responsibility for graduation data accuracy.

Interestingly, this year’s diplomas no longer require fingerprint stamps, simplifying the process while maintaining document integrity. Schools also enjoy flexibility in using electronic signatures in accordance with current regulations.

Regional education offices may assist by providing standardized paper and ink supplies but must do so without charging schools, promoting a fair and transparent system.

The socialization also emphasizes the importance of early and ongoing coordination between schools and local education authorities to ensure diploma issuance runs smoothly and on time. This way, students will receive their diplomas without delay, equipping them for their next educational journey.

These updates in diploma issuance reflect a commitment to higher educational standards and more modern administration, aligning with Indonesia’s Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn) digital transformation movement.

Tangerang City Education Office Officially Launches New Student Admission System (SPMB) for Academic Year 2025/2026

 

Tangerang City, May 28, 2025 – The Tangerang City Education Office has officially announced and conducted a socialization of the New Student Admission System (SPMB) for the Academic Year 2025/2026. The admission process prioritizes transparency, easy online access, and structured quota allocations based on student domicile and achievements.

Legal Framework and Implementation of SPMB 2025

The implementation of the Tangerang City SPMB follows several key regulations, including the Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation Number 3 of 2025 on New Student Admission Systems, as well as Tangerang Mayor Decrees No. 496 and No. 422 of 2025 that regulate technical guidelines and domicile determinations for elementary and junior high school admissions.

Online Pre-Registration and Registration Process

Prospective students for both elementary (SD) and junior high schools (SMP) are required to complete an online pre-registration through the official website praspmb.tangerangkota.go.id. During this stage, applicants must submit important administrative documents such as National Identity Number (NIK), Family Card Number (KK), National Student Identification Number (NISN), parents’ identification, and academic report cards for out-of-city graduates or previous year graduates.

After data verification by the Education Office, applicants will receive a PIN used to proceed with the main registration independently via spmbmandiri.tangerangkota.go.id or the mobile application.

Admission Pathways and Quotas

The Tangerang SPMB defines multiple admission pathways with clear quota distribution and priorities:

• Domicile Pathway (80% quota), subdivided into:

  • School environment domicile (40%)

  • Regional domicile (20%)

  • General domicile/inter-regional (15%)

  • Outside Tangerang City domicile (5%)

• Affirmation Pathway (15% quota), for students from low-income families registered under government social assistance programs.

• Mutation Pathway (5% quota), for students relocating due to parental job transfers.

• Disability Pathway, with a dedicated quota, accepting a maximum of 2 students per elementary school and 2.5% of the affirmation quota at junior high school level.

• Achievement Pathway, for students with academic or non-academic competition achievements within a specified validity period.

Priorities and General Conditions

For elementary level, students must be at least 6 years old by July 1, 2025, with priority given to those aged 7 and above. Exceptions are made for gifted children aged 5 years 6 months or older, supported by professional psychological recommendations.

Applicants under the disability pathway must provide official certification of their condition and pass an initial assessment ensuring a minimum IQ of 80 for readiness to pursue formal education.

Important Admission Schedule for 2025

Pre-registration opens from April 21 to July 10, 2025, for elementary level and until July 6, 2025, for junior high level. Verification, announcement of results, and re-registration are scheduled in phases aligned with each admission pathway, with the first announcement in June and the second phase in July 2025.

Capacity and Regional Mapping

The total intake capacity for elementary schools is 25,312 students from 41,881 graduates, while junior high schools can admit 21,168 students from 30,670 graduates. The allocation is mapped across Tangerang’s East, Central, and West zones to ensure equitable access to education.

System Implementation and Expectations

The online SPMB system aims to facilitate parents and students to register easily without needing to visit schools physically, while promoting fairness and transparency in selection. The Tangerang Education Office also emphasizes inclusive education by providing dedicated quotas for students with disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged families.

Drs. H. Sachrudin, Mayor of Tangerang, along with Drs. H. Jamaluddin, M.Pd, Head of the Education Office, encourage all residents to utilize the online system optimally and comply with the scheduled deadlines to ensure a smooth student admission process.