Papua: The Indonesian Province with the Highest High School Cost

According to a report by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the average total cost of senior high school (SMA/SMK/equivalent) education in Indonesia reached Rp10.19 million throughout the 2023/2024 academic year.

This total cost is an accumulation of registration fees, pocket money, transportation costs, and operational costs, which include education development contributions/single tuition fees (SPP/UKT), school uniforms and equipment, textbooks, stationery, and other expenses incurred by students.

Looking at it by province, the highest average total cost of senior high school is in Papua, reaching Rp17.91 million. Meanwhile, the lowest is in Papua Pegunungan at Rp3.43 million.

The following is a list of the 10 provinces with the highest average total cost of SMA/SMK/equivalent education in Indonesia for the 2023/2024 academic year:

1. Papua: Rp17.91 million

2. South Sumatra: Rp14.6 million

3. Jakarta: Rp14.41 million

4. West Papua: Rp14.11 million

5. Yogyakarta: Rp13.96 million

6. Banten: Rp13.43 million

7. Bengkulu: Rp12.27 million

8. North Sulawesi: Rp11.75 million

9. West Java: Rp11.49 million

10. East Java: Rp11.45 million

BPS also recorded the components of educational costs at the SMA/SMK/equivalent level. The majority, or 50.98%, of student expenditures are allocated to pocket money or allowance.

Then, the proportion of expenditure for transportation is 22.11%, SPP/UKT is 7.69%, and school uniforms and equipment are 4.91%.