Disability, Quality, and Opportunity in Access to Public Universities: A Comparison Between Java and Other Regions

The Indonesian National Agency for Higher Education Entrance Test (LTMPT) conducted a ranking of the top 1,000 schools based on the 2022 Computer-Based Written Examination (UTBK) scores.

This ranking indicates an inequality in the quality of education and opportunities for SMA/SMK/MAN students to enter state universities between Java and other regions. This is evident in the darker shading of Java on the regional map compared to other regions, particularly central and eastern Indonesia.

This is reflected in the number of high schools included in the LTMPT 2022 ranking of the best high schools. The majority of the best high schools are located in Java. Several provinces have no high schools on the list of best schools.

With the ranking criteria requiring a minimum of 40 participants in the 2022 UTBK, it is also apparent that high school graduates in Java have a higher chance of entering state universities compared to other regions. One factor is the lower economic capacity to access state universities in areas outside Java.

Based on UTBK scores, 822 senior high schools (SMA) or equivalent in Java are included in the LTMPT 2022 list of the top 1,000 best high schools. This accounts for 82% of the total best high schools and is the highest number compared to other regions.

In Sumatra, 108 schools made the Top 1,000 list. Kalimantan had 31 SMA, Bali and Nusa Tenggara had 24 SMA, Sulawesi had 13 SMA, and Maluku and Papua had 2 SMA each.

Six provinces had no high schools in the LTMPT 2022 Top 1,000 list: East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), North Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Maluku, and North Maluku.

LTMPT assessed 23,657 schools with 745,115 participants. Only 3,381 schools and 515,165 participants met the calculation criteria.

The following is the LTMPT 2022 ranking methodology:

* Schools with more than 40 participants in the 2022 UTBK (2022 graduates).
* 3,381 schools met this criterion.
* 515,165 participants met the 2022 UTBK assessment criteria.
* The 2022 UTBK score was calculated based on 60% TPS + 40% TKA.
* Schools were ranked by total score from highest to lowest.
* The top 1,000 schools with the highest total scores were selected.