Why Indonesian education still inequitable and how the new strategy can solve it?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v7i1.5953Keywords:
Education equity, Education management, Education policy, School location settingAbstract
This study aims to design a new strategy to accelerate educational equity through local government. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, it adopted data triangulation through document review, and in-depth semi-structured interviews with education office practitioners and education planning experts, which is selected purposively. The study lasted 79 days and used a thematic analysis to describe the data. The results: (1) Indonesian national education policy has long set principles for school siting to ensure accessibility; however, local governments still lack standardized procedural guidance for assessing and determining new school locations, resulting in implementation absurdities. (2) A new strategy to address educational inequity was formulated into 3 alternatives: (a) Establishing a local education policy as a standard operating procedure (SOP) for determining new school locations; (b) Multi-actor collaboration among local government, academics, and the community; (c) Creating a location selector application to assess the feasibility of proposed new school sites. The third alternative is special urgency, and it is the most prominent practical implication, because it offers substantial benefits for addressing educational inequity. Although focused on Subang Regency, the study is globally relevant given persistent educational inequity and structural constraints in many countries. Further research is recommended to develop the location selector application.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla, A. Q., M. Ameen, B. M., & Khdhir, R. M. (2025). Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 6(August), 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100198
Allsop, D. B., Chelladurai, J. M., Kimball, E. R., Marks, L. D., & Hendricks, J. J. (2022). Qualitative methods with NVivo software: A practical guide for analyzing qualitative data. Psych, 4(2), 142–159. https://doi.org/10.3390/psych4020013
Amaya, J., Peeters, D., Uribe, P., & Valenzuela, J. P. (2016). Optimization modeling for resource allocation in the Chilean public education system. International Regional Science Review, 39(2), 155–176. https://doi.org/10.1177/0160017615571584
Azizah. (2018). Analisis sebaran sekolah tingkat SD dan smp berbasis sistem informasi geografis di kecamatan Dramaga, Kabupaten Bogor (Analysis of the distribution of elementary and junior high schools based on geographic information systems in Dramaga District, Bogor Regency) 1–124. Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. https://repository.upi.edu/47383/
Badan Pusat Statistik Kabupaten Subang. (2025). Kabupaten Subang Dalam Angka Tahun 2025 (Subang Regency in Figures 2025) (Publication No. 1102001.3213; 18, 2025, pp. 1–472). https://subangkab.bps.go.id/id/publication/2025/02/28/
Belina, A. (2023). Semi-structured interviewing as a tool for understanding informal civil society. Voluntary Sector Review, 14(2), 331–347. https://doi.org/10.1332/204080522X16454629995872
Bingham, A. J. (2023). From data management to actionable findings: a five-phase process of qualitative data analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22(April), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231183620
Bingham, A. J. (2021). Deductive and inductive approaches to qualitative data analysis. Analyzing and Interpreting Qualitative Data: After the Interview, 1, 133–146. https://doi.org/10.3102/1682697
Bishop, J. P., & Noguera, P. A. (2019). The ecology of educational equity: Implications for policy. Peabody Journal of Education, 94(2), 122–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2019.1598108
Bredal, A., Stefansen, K., & Bjørnholt, M. (2024). Why do people participate in research interviews? Participant orientations and ethical contracts in interviews with victims of interpersonal violence. Qualitative Research, 24(2), 287–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941221138409
Campbell, C. (2021). Educational equity in canada: The case of ontario’s strategies and actions to advance excellence and equity for students. School Leadership & Management, 41(4–5), 409–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2019.1709165
Charli, M. S., Eshete, S. K., & Debela, K. L. (2022). Learning how research design methods work: A review of creswell’s research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. The Qualitative Report, 27(12), 2956–2960. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5901
Chen, Y. (2021). Optimizing locations of primary schools in rural areas of china. Complexity, 2021(1), 7573700. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7573700
Chen Yulong, Lai Zhizhu, & Huang Cheng. (2023). Optimizing spatial location and service capacity of new schools toward maximum equity in the distribution of educational resources. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 149(3), 04023027. https://doi.org/10.1061/JUPDDM.UPENG-4346
Demirci, J. R. (2024). About research: Conducting better qualitative interviews. Journal of Human Lactation, 40(1), 21–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344231213651
Disdik Jabar. (2024). Indeks Pendidikan Kabupaten dan Kota Di Jawa Barat (Education Index of Districts and Cities in West Java) (pp. 1–1). https://sync.disdik.jabarprov.go.id/index.php?page=makro_ip
Egalite, A. J., & Wolf, P. J. (2016). A review of the empirical research on private school choice. Peabody Journal of Education, 91(4), 441–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2016.1207436
Germain, E. (2022). Well-being and equity: A multi-disciplinary framework for rethinking education policy. Peabody Journal of Education, 97(1), 6–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2022.2026716
Han, Z., Cui, C., Kong, Y., Li, Q., Chen, Y., & Chen, X. (2023). Improving educational equity by maximizing service coverage in rural changyuan, china: An evaluation-optimization-validation framework based on spatial accessibility to schools. Applied Geography, 152, 102891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2023.102891
Hargreaves, L. (2017). Primary education in small rural schools: Past, present and future. In R. Maclean (Ed.), Life in Schools and Classrooms. 38, 223–243. Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3654-5_14
Kawuryan, S. P., Sayuti, S. A., Aman, A., & Dwiningrum, S. I. A. (2021). Teachers quality and educational equality achievements in indonesia. International Journal of Instruction, 14(2), 811–830. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14245a
Lesnawati, L., Triatna, C., & Ruhimat, M. D. C. (2025). Architecting educational equity through school mapping: Where are the effective locations for junior high schools establishment in subang? Journal of Education & Teaching, 6(3), 603–625. https://doi.org/10.51454/jet.v6i3.648
Levinson, M., Geron, T., & Brighouse, H. (2022). Conceptions of educational equity. AERA Open, 8(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584221121344
Matete, R. E. (2022). Forms of decentralization and their implications for educational accountability in tanzania. Heliyon, 8(5), e09436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09436
Mutambara, D., & Bayaga, A. (2021). Determinants of mobile learning acceptance for STEM education in rural areas. Computers & Education, 160(104010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.104010
Ninghardjanti, P., Murtini, W., Hindrayani, A., & Sangka, K. B. (2023). Evaluation of the smart indonesia program as a policy to improve equality in education. Sustainability, 15(6), 5114. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065114
Nordholm, D., Nihlfors, E., & Arnqvist, A. (2022). Perceptions on the local school and further education: a rural school leader’s perspective. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 66(1), 150–162. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2020.1865447
Peraturan Menteri Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Pendidikan Tinggi Number 22 of 2023, pub. l. Nomor 22 tahun 2023 tentang Sarana dan Prasarana Satuan Pendidikan (Regulation of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Higher Education Number 22 of 2023, pub. i. no. 22 of 2023 concerning facilities and infrastructure of educational units) https://peraturan.go.id/id/permendikbudristek-no-22-tahun-2023
Peraturan Menteri Pendidikan Nasional Nomor 24 Tahun 2007, pub. l. No. 24 of 2007, 24 (2007) (Regulation of the Minister of National Education Number 24 of 2007, Pub. L. No. 24 of 2007, 24 (2007)). http://digilib.unila.ac.id/4949/15/BAB II.pdf
Perubahan keempat Undang-Undang Dasar Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945, perubahan keempat 3 (2002) (The fourth amendment to the 1945 constitution of the republic of indonesia, fourth amendment § 3 (2002)) https://jdih.mahkamahagung.go.id/legal-product/uud1945-perubahan-keempat/detail
Preda, M., & Toma, E. (2021). The quality of education in rural areas from the perspective of primary and secondary school teachers. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, 21(2), 493–498. https://managementjournal.usamv.ro/pdf/vol.21_2/Art57.pdf
Presiden Republik Indonesia. (2021). Peraturan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia Nomor 57 Tahun 2021 tentang Standar Nasional Pendidikan (Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 57 of 2021 concerning national education standards) 102501. https://peraturan.go.id/id/pp-no-57-tahun-2021
Purnadewi, G. A. A., Arnawa, N., & Tatminingsih, S. (2023). The influence of school culture, learning interest, and learning motivation on science learning outcomes. Indonesian Journal of Educational Development (IJED), 4(2), 126-138. https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v4i2.3040
Ruhimat, M. D. C. (2025). Analisis lokasi kebutuhan pendirian sekolah lanjutan tingkat pertama di kecamatan haurwangi kabupaten cianjur jawa barat berbasis sistem informasi geografis (Analysis of the location of the need to establish a junior high school in haurwangi district, cianjur regency, west java based on a geographic information system) [Thesis]. Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. https://repository.upi.edu/139309/
Ruhimat, M. D. C., Kurniatun, T. C., Permana, J., Shodikin, R., & Pradana, R. S. (2024). A school mapping research: The areas for junior high school establishment in cianjur based on Geographic Information System (GIS). Indonesian Research Journal in Education, 8(2), 608–622. https://doi.org/10.22437%20/irje.v8i2.36548
Setyawan, F., Handayani, A., & Wibowo, A. (2023). Analisis spasial sebaran sekolah dasar terdampak bencana gempa di kecamatan cugenang kabupaten cianjur (Spatial analysis of the distribution of elementary schools affected by the earthquake disaster in Cugenang District, Cianjur Regency). Jurnal Pendidikan Geografi Undiksha, 11(1), 87–93. https://doi.org/10.23887/jjpg.v11i1.56929
Sumintono, B., Hariri, H., & Izzati, U. A. (2023). Attraction of authority: The indonesian experience of educational decentralization. In Z. Sakhiyya & T. Wijaya Mulya (Eds.), Education in Indonesia: Critical Perspectives on Equity and Social Justice (Vol. 70). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-1878-2
Undang-Undang Nomor 59 Tahun 2024 tentang Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Panjang Nasional Tahun 2025-2045, Pub. L. No. UU RI Nomor 59 Tahun 2024, SK No. 218684 a 21 (2024) (Law number 59 of 2024 concerning the national long-term development plan for 2025-2045, pub. l. No. Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 59 of 2024, Decree No. 218684 a 21 (2024). https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/299728/uu-no-59-tahun-2024
Widana, I. W., Suarta, I. M., & Citrawan, I. W. (2019). Work motivation and creativity on the teacher's ability to develop HOTS-based assessments. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(3), 188-200. https://doi.org/10.29332/ijssh.v3n3.378
Wilcox, K. C., & Lawson, H. A. (2022). Advancing educational equity research, policy, and practice. Education Sciences, 12(12), 894. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12120894
Xavier, C. M., Fernandes Costa, M. G., & Filho, C. F. F. C. (2020). Combining facility-location approaches for public schools expansion. IEEE Access, 8, 24229–24241. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2970385
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Leni Lesnawati, Aan Komariah, Cepi Triatna, Asep Suryana, Mochammad Devi Cahya Ruhimat
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material.
