East Java Education Agency Clarifies AI Use in 2025 Student Selection Process

Surabaya, East Java – The Head of the East Java Education Agency’s Information and Communication Technology Unit (TIKP), Mustakim, addressed concerns raised by the East Java Information Commission (KI Jatim) regarding public information transparency during the 2025 New Student Selection Process (SPMB).

Source: suarajatimpost

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is not used in the student selection process. The system only assists in information retrieval, not in determining results,” Mustakim stated firmly on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

KI Jatim previously noted several issues in the inaugural SPMB, which replaced the former PPDB system. While commending the establishment of a call center and complaint desks, the commission highlighted limited information on AI usage in the selection system and the lack of transparency in participant rankings.

Mustakim clarified that the 2025 SPMB selection process strictly followed predefined parameters outlined in the technical guidelines (juknis), including academic scores, residential proximity, age, and registration time. All selection stages are accessible online to the public via the official website, spmbjatim.net.

Selection Pathways and Grade Verification

The East Java Education Agency detailed that SPMB 2025 offers four registration pathways: affirmative, transfer, competition-based achievement, and academic achievement, with distinct criteria for high schools (SMA) and vocational schools (SMK). Rankings are based on a combination of indicators transparently outlined in the juknis.

“All mechanisms and provisions are detailed in the 2025 SPMB juknis, and information is publicly accessible on the official website,” Mustakim said.

The process begins with pre-registration, where schools input report card grades, followed by verification by students and parents before obtaining a PIN. Data errors can be corrected directly by students or through school operators.

Mustakim added that all uploaded documents and data are validated by SMA/SMK operators, witnessed by prospective students and/or parents. “Every stage, from pre-registration to re-registration, is digital but includes transparent manual validation,” he noted.

The domicile pathway is split into regular (20% of school capacity) and distributed (15%) quotas, exclusively for applicants within the school’s zone. The academic achievement pathway ranks applicants based on report card grades and the originating school’s index.

“If applicants exceed the quota, selection follows a clear priority order: academic scores, distance, age, and registration time,” Mustakim explained.

Public Response and Outreach

Addressing KI Jatim’s critique on insufficient outreach, Mustakim acknowledged that some community members still lack a full understanding of the process but emphasized that most stages ran smoothly and received positive feedback.

“Alhamdulillah, the outreach has been well-received, but a small portion still doesn’t fully grasp the rules. We will intensify awareness efforts moving forward,” he said.

The Education Agency is currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation of all SPMB stages, from zoning to re-registration, to serve as a foundation for improvements next year. Additionally, complaint channels are being strengthened through school helpdesks, regional offices, social media, and call centers.

“For complaints, we strive to provide solutions quickly through various channels. Our principle remains: the process must be transparent, accountable, and public-oriented,” Mustakim concluded.

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