Daftarsbmptn.com – The West Sulawesi Provincial Government (Sulbar), through the Regional Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bapperida), has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the quality of education in the region. One strategic step taken is to support the fulfillment of Minimum Service Standards (SPM) in the education sector through budgeting assistance for regencies and cities in West Sulawesi for 2026.
This assistance program is part of the regional government’s efforts to ensure each regency is able to plan and allocate education budgets effectively, efficiently, and on target. Bapperida Sulbar believes that successfully meeting SPM education is not solely the responsibility of the education sector but also requires synergy across regional agencies, including thorough planning and budgeting.
The Head of Bapperida Sulbar, (Name of official, e.g., Dr. Ahmad Supriadi), explained that this assistance aims to strengthen the planning of education programs and activities to align with national targets and the real needs of the community. “Through budgeting assistance, we want to ensure that every rupiah allocated truly supports the fulfillment of the Minimum Service Standards (SPM) for education and has a direct impact on improving services,” he said during a coordination activity in Mamuju on Monday (November 10, 2025).
According to him, the Minimum Service Standards (SPM) for education is a crucial instrument for ensuring that every child in West Sulawesi receives their basic right to education. The SPM encompasses not only the availability of teachers and learning resources, but also service quality, equitable access, and the sustainability of education programs. Therefore, Ahmad said, planning and budgeting support is key to achieving the SPM target by 2026.
Inter-Regional Synergy and the Strategic Role of Bapperida
In implementing the assistance, Bapperida Sulbar collaborates with the Education Office and all district Bapperidas within its jurisdiction. The approach taken includes not only technical guidance but also planning assistance, reviewing program proposals, and developing a roadmap for meeting the SPM until 2026.
This assistance is also expected to encourage districts to strengthen the integration between the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) and education planning documents. This way, every proposed education program can be directly linked to the Minimum Service Standards (SPM) indicators established by the central government.
Furthermore, the West Sulawesi Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida) also plays a role in facilitating data analysis on education needs, including the number of teachers, learning facilities, student-to-teacher ratios, and school development needs in underdeveloped areas. This data serves as the basis for formulating more accurate and equitable budget policies.
“This assistance is not only about budget administration, but also about how local governments can identify key education issues and adjust their fiscal policies accordingly,” added Ahmad. He emphasized that this commitment is also in line with West Sulawesi’s development vision,
which emphasizes equitable distribution of basic services and improving the quality of human resources.
Addressing Regional Challenges and Budgetary Constraints
One of the main challenges in meeting the Minimum Service Standards (SPM) in education in West Sulawesi is the persistent disparity between regions, particularly in remote and interior areas. Several districts still face obstacles in terms of educational infrastructure, the availability of teaching staff, and access to transportation for students.
To this end, through its 2026 budgeting assistance, the West Sulawesi Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida) emphasized the importance of prioritizing education spending based on regional needs. Regencies are expected to be able to more accurately map problems and potential so that fund allocation can address the main issues facing the community.
Furthermore, regional fiscal constraints are also a concern. Many regions still rely on central transfers, often limiting fiscal space for education. In this context, the West Sulawesi Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida) is working to help district governments optimize the use of the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) for education and utilize alternative funding sources, including collaboration with the private sector and donor agencies.
“We encourage each region to be more creative in planning education financing. Not everything has to rely on the regional budget (APBD), as there are many national programs and partnerships that can be utilized,” explained Ahmad.
Commitment to Improving the Quality of Education Services
The West Sulawesi Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida) also emphasized that this mentoring program is not merely short-term, but rather part of a long-term strategy to strengthen education governance in West Sulawesi. With better planning, it is hoped that the achievement of the Minimum Service Standards (SPM) in education will significantly increase by 2026.
In addition to improving access to and the quality of basic education, this mentoring is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of regional planning officials. Through training and technical guidance, planners are expected to understand the relationship between planning, budgeting, and SPM achievement as a whole.
This activity also demonstrates the synergy between the provincial and district governments in realizing the vision of a Smart, Advanced, and Competitive West Sulawesi. The provincial government acts as a facilitator, while the districts are the primary implementers on the ground. With solid cooperation, it is hoped that all SPM targets for education can be met before the end of 2026.
Future Outlook
Closing the coordination activity, the Head of Bapperida West Sulawesi emphasized that successfully meeting the SPM for education requires the commitment of all parties. “We hope that cross-sector synergy will continue to be strengthened. Education is a shared responsibility, and sound planning is the foundation for real change,” he concluded.
With these concrete steps, the West Sulawesi Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida) is not only acting as a planning agency, but also as a driver of change toward a more equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education system in West Sulawesi.