Higher Education, Higher Costs

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) states that the higher the level of education, the greater the average educational costs incurred.

In its 2021 Supporting Education Statistics report, BPS details that the average total cost for higher education was Rp14.47 million during the 2020-2021 academic year.

This amount, according to BPS, is almost double the average total cost of secondary education (SM)/equivalent, which was Rp7.80 million.

Based on characteristics, the average cost of public primary schools (SD)/equivalent was Rp2.81 million in 2021. Private schools averaged Rp4.93 million.

(Read also: Average National Tuition Fees Decreased in 2018-2021)

Next, public junior high schools (SMP)/equivalent required an average cost of Rp5.11 million. Private schools at this level cost Rp6.79 million.

Then, public senior high schools (SM)/equivalent required Rp7.10 million. Private schools cost Rp9.04 million.

Differently, for higher education, public universities cost Rp12.71 million. Private universities cost Rp17.01 million.

BPS also calculated cost components based on education level. The results show that most educational expenses are for tuition fees/single tuition fees (SPP/UKT), pocket money, transportation, and internet.

However, BPS explains that there is a difference in spending patterns between university students and those at lower levels.

"For SD/equivalent, SMP/equivalent, and SM/equivalent levels, most expenses are used for pocket money. For higher education, more than one-third of the total educational cost is used for tuition fees/single tuition fees (SPP/UKT)," BPS wrote in its report, quoted on Monday (20/5/2024).

BPS observes that the difference in educational funding demonstrates that significantly more funds are needed to improve the quality of Indonesia's human resources.

"This needs special attention because for the community, especially those from lower-middle economic groups, they must strive hard if they want to pursue higher education," BPS wrote.

The educational costs in the BPS report are the sum of registration fees, pocket money, transportation costs, and operational costs such as Tuition Fees/Single Tuition Fees (SPP/UKT), school uniforms, stationery, textbooks, and other costs incurred by students.

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