President Summons Nadiem Makarim Amid Confusion over UKT Increase

President Jokowi summoned Nadiem Makarim. The problem of single tuition fees (UKT) needs a quick and precise solution.

NINA SUSILO

President Joko Widodo summoned the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim to the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (27/5/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — President Joko Widodo has finally paid attention to student protests regarding the increase in single tuition fees or UKT. Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim was also asked to come to the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (27/5/2024) afternoon.

Around 1:22 PM, Nadiem was seen entering the Presidential Palace Complex to meet the President. Speaking to reporters, Nadiem, dressed in a pastel woven shirt, said, "Yes, we will discuss several issues, I want to report."

When asked whether he would discuss UKT, Nadiem confirmed. "Yes, we will discuss several issues," he said.

Approaching the new academic year, state universities have increased the UKT amount. Protests and polemics continued, especially as students who protested experienced intimidation. Not only campus circles are protesting the increase in UKT which could have an impact on students in the following years and the world of higher education.

Yes, will discuss several issues, want to report.

The increase is also very significant. The amount of tuition fee for the Animal Husbandry Study Program at Soedirman University (Unsoed) in Purwokerto, Central Java, for example, the amount of tuition fee for the highest group in 2023 is Rp 2.5 million per semester.

Also read: University of North Sumatra UKT Protest Students Increase 30-50 Percent

In 2024, the same program's tuition fee for the fifth tier will be Rp 12.5 million per semester. Additionally, the highest tuition fee for the sixth tier reaches Rp 14,081 million per semester.

Protests also occurred at many other public universities (PTN), such as the University of North Sumatra, the University of Riau, Sebelas Maret State University, and the Jakarta National Development "Veteran" University.

Complain to the Ombudsman

The Executive Board of the Students of Yogyakarta State University filed a complaint with the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia's representative for the Special Region of Yogyakarta on Monday (May 20, 2024). Not only is there a lack of transparency in the increase of the Tuition Fee (UKT), but also students who question the increase are responded to with intimidation by the rectorate, such as revoking the Kartu Indonesia Pintar or raising the UKT to the highest category.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has also asked universities not to burden all the needs of higher education funding on students, but to develop their business entities. This was revealed by the Vice President when he gave a statement to journalists after attending the Inauguration of the Regional Committee for Islamic Economic and Financial Affairs, the Opening of the Islamic Economic Week, and the National Seminar on Islamic Economics in West Sulawesi Province, in Mamuju District, West Sulawesi Province, on Wednesday (May 22, 2024).

Therefore, to achieve Golden Indonesia 2045, more and more Indonesian children should be able to receive higher education.

The Vice President explained that higher education is an important constitutional mandate for producing excellent human resources. Therefore, to achieve Indonesia Emas 2045, more and more Indonesian children should be able to receive higher education. However, the government acknowledges that it is impossible to bear the entire cost of higher education. Therefore, State Higher Education Institutions with Legal Entities (PTNBH) status are granted so that state universities can find solutions.

Distribution of cost burdens

Therefore, according to the Vice President, there needs to be a distribution of the burden of education costs from the government, students, and universities through developed business bodies. "So, don't burden all students. As a result, like now, not all students are capable," Vice President Amin added.

Universities should not arbitrarily determine the amount of tuition fees. As a legal entity, universities must still be responsible for education costs.

The government must take responsibility because it is part of the government's responsibility. Students also have their own capabilities, but it does not mean they have no burden at all.

The government cannot simply evade responsibility for the costs of higher education. "The government must take responsibility because it is part of the government's duty. The students should also pay according to their ability, but it is not without any burden," said the Vice President.

The Secretary of Director of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni of UNY, Prof. Guntur, stated that the increase in tuition fees is determined by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. With the new tuition fee system, there are 10 tuition fee categories, ranging from category I at Rp 500,000 per semester to category X at Rp 9.2 million per semester.

The problem is, high tuition fees are increasingly burdensome for students, especially those from the lower middle economic group. So far, the increase in average tuition fees at state universities has been higher than the increase in parents' salaries in Indonesia (Kompas Data Journalism, 2022). The allocation of Smart Indonesia Cards (KIP) for lectures is also limited, only 200,000 students or around 6 percent of students from lower economic groups.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

A mural related to UKT is visible on the walls of the building complex of the Universitas Jenderal Soedirman Purwokerto's Student Activity Center in Banyumas, Central Java, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

Review

Therefore, the DPR urges the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim to review two regulations believed to be the cause of the increase in UKT. The two regulations are the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation No. 4 of 2020 regarding Changes to State Universities becoming State-Owned Public Universities and the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation No. 2 of 2024 regarding the Standard Unit Cost of Higher Education Operations at State Universities.

We urge the government to repeal and revise this Education Ministry regulation before the new student admissions, especially regarding the limits on the ordinary tuition fees and institutional development contributions.

"We urge the government to revoke and revise this Ministry of Education and Culture regulation before the new student admissions, especially regarding the upper limit of UKT and IPI (institutional development fees)," said Vice Chairman of Commission X Dede Yusuf during a working meeting between the Ministry of Education and Culture and Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives in the Commission X Meeting Room, Senayan, Jakarta on Tuesday (May 21, 2024).

Last week, the BEM of all universities in Indonesia reported unilateral tuition fee increases at each state university during a public hearing of Commission X of the DPR. Commission X DPR Chairman Syaiful Huda also questioned the simultaneous increase in tuition fees, especially since there are various other fees to pay such as committee fees, activity fees, or non-obligatory donations.

Syaiful also questions the increase in tuition fees amidst a 20% education budget allocation from the state budget. This year, the education budget reached Rp 665 trillion from the state budget.

Also read: Regarding the UKT increase, what actually happened?

Director General of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Culture and Research Abdul Haris said there is a misunderstanding in society regarding UKT. The Ministry of Education regulation explains that there is no change in UKT for students who are already enrolled. The determination of the new UKT amount only applies to new students.

KOMPAS/MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

A number of students from the Bandung Institute of Technology demonstrated in front of the ITB rectorate office on Sulanjana Street in Bandung, West Java on Monday (29/1/2024). They demanded ease in paying the single tuition fee without involving high-interest online loans.

Students with financial difficulties are placed in group 1 with a tuition fee of IDR 500,000 or group 2 with a tuition fee of IDR 1 million per semester.

Nadiem did not give a definite answer during the working meeting with Commission X of the DPR. He only mentioned that the increase of UKT should not be done hastily.