Bandung City Government Builds 4 New Middle Schools To Reduce Blank Spot Zoning

Since being enacted in 2019, the school zoning system has become a challenge for city and district governments, including the Bandung City Government.

From data from the Bandung City Education Office (Disdik), there are 18 blank spot locations in Bandung City that do not yet have public schools. As a result, many people find it difficult to find public schools for their children because they do not meet the radius for zoning.

To minimize these obstacles, the Bandung City Government through the Bandung City Education Office built four new school units at the Junior High School (SMP) level in the blank spot area.

The Acting Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana, explained that the mapping was carried out first to see which areas needed school development.

"We mapped blank spot areas in the city of Bandung. For elementary school, there are no blank spot areas for public schools. However, when we mapped junior high schools, it turned out that there were a lot of blank spot areas," Yana explained at the inauguration of school construction, Friday, February 4, 2022.

After being mapped, four blank spots were chosen for the construction of public schools, including Jalan Cicabe, H. Tamim, Baturaden and Riung Wargi.

The schools built in these locations include SMPN 59, 61, 65, and 66 Bandung.

Several developments have been running since 2019-2020. The rest have been built in 2021. Yana really appreciates Disdik regarding the program for the construction of this new junior high school unit.

"In the midst of these limitations, I appreciate my friends at Disdik for being able to maximize performance in order to actually reduce blank spots at the junior high school level," he said.

"Today it has been answered, hopefully, there will be no more blank spots at the junior high school level in Bandung City. My hope is that there will be no more school-age children in Bandung, but he doesn't go to school," added Yana.

The chairman of the Bandung City DPRD, Tedy Rusmawan, was also present at the inauguration. Tedy expressed his appreciation for the accessibility of education provided by the Bandung City Government.

"Education and health applications are indeed our priority. Moreover, this zoning is a very extraordinary concern. Hopefully, with the presence of this school, the Bandung City Government can accommodate the education of children in the surrounding environment," said Tedy.

Responding to this program, the Head of the Bandung City Education Office, Hikmat Ginanjar said, the construction of new school units will be focused on filial schools or those that are still hosted by other schools.

"In accordance with the Bandung City Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) to improve the accessibility of education, one of the priorities is the construction of new school units for filial schools. The establishment of this new school is also to respond to public complaints regarding the zoning system," said Hikmat.

Similar to Hikmat, the Acting Principal of SMPN 66 Bandung, Harlina said, with the construction of this new junior high school unit, people in the blank spot area could have the opportunity to send their children to public schools.

"I feel that this program is extraordinary. Because this area (Riung Wargi) is one of the blank spot areas, it is difficult for residents to send their children to public schools," said Harlina.

Currently, added Harlina, SMPN 66 Bandung is still under the parent of SMPN 51 Bandung. In addition to being the Acting Principal at SMPN 66 Bandung, Harlina is also the Acting Principal at SMPN 42 Bandung and the definitive Principal at SMPN 51 Bandung.

"Moreover, the closest public schools around here have been filled with residents closer to the zoning radius," he added.

The pressing of the siren button by the Acting Mayor of Bandung became a symbol of the inauguration of the construction of four junior high schools in the city of Bandung. (din)**

Head of Discominfo Bandung

Yayan A. Brilyana

Education