Parents Reject Regrouping of SDN 1 Baleharjo Pacitan, Where SBY Once Studied
Pacitan-aswinnews.com- SDN 1 Baleharjo, Pacitan District/Regency, is facing the threat of regrouping that has triggered a wave of strong rejection from parents. The school, which has more than 120 students, is projected to be merged with SDN Baleharjo 2, even though it does not meet the regrouping requirements that are usually applied to schools with less than 60 students.
This rejection is not without reason. SDN 1 Baleharjo holds deep historical value, was once the alma mater of the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and has made brilliant academic achievements, including the success of students in passing the National Science Olympiad (OSN) selection at the East Java Province level.
“This is Mr. SBY’s school, not to mention the school’s achievements. From that alone, the Regency Government should have understood. Why is this going to be regrouped? This school has historical value. So we can’t just let the children go and will try to resist regrouping,” said Mohtarom, Head of the SDN 1 Baleharjo Committee when interviewed by reporters on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Mohtarom also stated that regrouping would have an economic impact on the parents of students, most of whom work as farmers.
“The reasons for the parents’ rejection are quite logical. Several other factors are also considered by the parents to reject the regrouping plan. For him, regrouping will have an economic impact on the parents of students, most of whom work as farmers,” he added.
Hundreds of students at this school also spoke out. They threatened to go on strike if the regrouping plan was forced to be implemented.
“The children are currently enthusiastic about learning, now they are reluctant to go to school because of the regrouping. If we have to be firm and really merge with any school, the children will go on strike,” said Mohtarom.
Responding to this, the Pacitan Education Office stated that there are around 14 Elementary Schools in Pacitan Regency that will be regrouped, including SDN 1 Baleharjo.
“From the results of the Litbang study, some have been submitted to the Pacitan Regent for regrouping, our team has been to the field. There are some who refuse. The Education Office is only implementing regulations. The final submission is up to the Regent’s decision,” said Ririh Enggar Purwati, Secretary of the Pacitan Education Office, when asked for information.
Parents remain firm in rejecting the regrouping and have called on the Pacitan Regency Government to review this decision by considering the facts on the ground and the school’s long history. They hope that the final decision will favor the future of children’s education, not just based on numbers on paper.
“This is a historic and high-achieving school. Parents have agreed to reject it, and the children will even go on strike if forced,” said Mohtarom.
“For the past few months, parents have been worried about the regrouping discourse. They have tried to voice their rejection to the Education Office through the committee, but until now there has been no response,” he added.
SDN 1 Baleharjo still has 122 students, while the requirement for regrouping is if the school is only inhabited by less than 60 children. In fact, 6 children registered at SDN 1 Baleharjo a long time ago.
This incident shows that school regrouping is not always an ideal solution. It is important to consider the facts on the ground, the historical value and achievements of the school, as well as the social and economic impacts that have been caused to the surrounding community.***
Jefri Asmoro Diyatno
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