Minister Halts Planned Tuition Fee Hike for State University
- e-campusradio.com
Jakarta – The Indonesian government canceled the policy of raising the single tuition fee (UKT) for state university, regulated by Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation Number 2 of 2024.
According to Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, this decision was taken after a dialog between the government and universities and after heeding the aspirations of various stakeholders regarding this issue.
"The Ministry of Education and Culture has taken the decision to cancel the UKT increase this year, and we will re-evaluate all requests for UKT increases from PTNs (state university)," the minister remarked after meeting President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, as quoted from Antara site.
This year, university students will not be affected by the UKT increase policy, while the government will evaluate requests from universities for UKT increases next year, Makarim remarked.
Mendikbud Nadiem Makarim datangi Istana Negara, Jakarta Pusat, Senin, 27 Mei 2024
- VIVA.co.id/Yeni Lestari
"We listened to the community, and we ensure that an increase in UKT must be based on the principles of justice and fairness. That is what we implement," Minister Makarim emphasized.
On that occasion, the minister thanked all elements of society, especially students and university rectors, who have provided inputs and views that resulted in the cancellation of the UKT increase this year.
"Later, we will explain the detailed policy. The Director General of Higher Education will explain the details as soon as possible,"
Recently, extensive talks have been ongoing regarding the high increase of UKT fees for new students, including the jump from UKT class four to class five, with an average of five to 10 percent.
This regulation was subjected to students from high-income families starting from the third class onwards, according to the student's ability, with the fee determined by the university.
This issue became a polemic, resulting in a wave of demonstrations by state university students in several areas.
