According to data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek), approximately 83,700 children dropped out of school across Indonesia during the 2020/2021 academic year.
This figure includes dropouts from elementary school (SD), junior high school (SMP), senior high school (SMA), and vocational high school (SMK), both public and private.
Here is the breakdown of the number of school dropouts across Indonesia for the 2020/2021 academic year by level:
* Elementary School (SD): 44,516 students
* Junior High School (SMP): 11,378 students
* Senior High School (SMA): 13,879 students
* Vocational High School (SMK): 13,950 students
Spatially, the highest number of school dropouts was in West Java, while the lowest was in Bali. The composition of school dropouts at the SD, SMP, SMA, and SMK levels in each region can be seen in the graph (Note: Graph not included in this translation).
Here are the 10 provinces with the highest total number of school dropouts for the 2020/2021 academic year:
1. West Java: 10,884 students
2. Jakarta: 10,073 students
3. North Sumatra: 9,266 students
4. East Java: 6,573 students
5. South Sulawesi: 6,107 students
6. Central Java: 5,904 students
7. East Nusa Tenggara: 2,855 students
8. South Sumatra: 2,562 students
9. Banten: 2,288 students
10. Papua: 2,235 students
And here are the 10 provinces with the lowest total number of school dropouts for the 2020/2021 academic year:
1. Bali: 285 students
2. Bangka Belitung Islands: 343 students
3. North Kalimantan: 408 students
4. West Sulawesi: 424 students
5. Riau Islands: 581 students
6. Yogyakarta Special Region: 611 students
7. Bengkulu: 665 students
8. Gorontalo: 667 students
9. North Maluku: 703 students
10. West Papua: 719 students
According to Rustiyana, Head of Junior High School Development at the Bandung Barat Regency Education Office, West Java Province, there are many factors that cause students to drop out of school.
"There are various factors contributing to school dropouts. Some are due to economic reasons, while others are due to a preference for playing, unwillingness to attend school, or choosing to work and getting married early," said Rustiyana, as reported by *TribunJabar.id*, Tuesday (30/8/2022).