Ombudsman: Schools Should Not Sell School Uniforms and Materials

Author: Dian Kencana
July 2, 2024

Illustration of Indonesia's School Uniforms.

SEAToday.com, NTB - The Ombudsman RI Representative Office for West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has urged schools to refrain from selling uniforms or uniform materials to new students during the admissions process (PPDB). Schools are also prohibited from making the purchase as a mandatory requirement for re-enrollment, based on Government Regulation (PP) No. 17 of 2010, articles 181 and 198.

Arya Wiguna, Head of the Prevention of Maladministration Assistance at the Ombudsman RI Representative Office for NTB, stated on Monday (7/1) that the practice of selling uniform materials and uniforms was prevalent and received numerous complaints from the public during last year's PPDB process in both schools and madrasahs.

Arya added that the procurement of school uniforms is the responsibility of parents or guardians of students, not the responsibility of schools or madrasahs.

"On the contrary, schools should assist in procuring uniforms for students who are unable to afford them," concluded Arya.