Admission Requirements for Al Ma’soem Junior High School and Senior High School for Students from Overseas

Photo: Chiu Chih Chung, an Al Ma’soem Junior High School student from Taiwan, while processing his ITAS at the Bandung Immigration Office (photo taken before the COVID-19 pandemic).

The curriculum system at Al Ma’soem Junior High School and Senior High School follows the standards of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, the admission requirements for students from overseas follow the regulations established by the Ministry. Almost every year, Al Ma’soem accepts graduates from schools abroad, both Elementary School graduates who wish to continue to Junior High School and students with an equivalent Junior High School education who wish to continue to Al Ma’soem Senior High School.

Before discussing the procedures or required documents, there are generally two important points to consider when accepting students from overseas, based on the status of their previous school:

  1. Is the student’s previous school an Indonesian school located abroad?
  2. Or is the student’s previous school a fully foreign school?

If the student’s previous school is an Indonesian school located abroad, there should be no significant difficulties, because in principle the diploma is equivalent to that of students studying in Indonesia. The student will also already have a National Student Identification Number (NISN), as they are registered in the Ministry of Education and Culture’s student database.

Furthermore, the national examination schedule is also the same, so by May or June students will have officially graduated from their previous school and can continue their education directly in Indonesia.

Quoted from [https://www.myindischool.com](https://www.myindischool.com), there are at least 6 (six) Indonesian schools located abroad, as follows:

  • Indonesian School of Riyadh (SIR) – Saudi Arabia
  • Indonesian School of Jeddah (SIJ) – Saudi Arabia
  • Indonesian School of the Netherlands (SIN) – Netherlands.
  • Sekolah Indonesia Yangon (SIY) – Myanmar.
  • Sekolah Indonesia Davao (SID) – Filipina.
  • Indonesian School of Kuala Lumpur (SIKL) – Malaysia.

If the school abroad does not follow the Indonesian national curriculum, the student’s educational records must first undergo an equivalency assessment by the Ministry of Education and Culture. This is because foreign and Indonesian education systems may differ in terms of report cards, diplomas, and the duration of study. The Ministry will subsequently issue an equivalency recommendation letter confirming that the student has completed an educational level or possesses knowledge equivalent to Elementary School, Junior High School, or Senior High School in Indonesia.

Second, a school placement letter is required, usually based on the parents’ request indicating the desired school location, such as Al Ma’soem Junior High School or Senior High School. Third, foreign nationals (WNA) are required to obtain a study permit.

The Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia currently facilitates the application and licensing process, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the entire process of obtaining the required documents is conducted online through the Ministry’s e-service portal. The requirements, as quoted from the Ministry of Education and Culture’s website, are as follows:

  1. Diploma Equivalency Service
    • Service Requirements: Complete the service application form online;
    • Attach the required documents, including:
      • Applicant’s 4×6 cm photograph;
      • Passport;
      • Certificate from the relevant Indonesian Representative Office and/or the Foreign Country’s Representative Office in Indonesia/certificate from the previous school;
      • Diploma/Certificate (if issued by the educational institution);
      • Academic Transcript;
      • Curriculum Program Structure. This document is not required if the educational institution (previous school) provides it on its official website;
      • Birth Certificate/Birth Registration Certificate;
      • Report cards for Grades 1, 2, and 3 (Junior High School/Senior High School/Vocational High School), and scanned report cards for the most recent 3 years (Elementary School).
  2. Student Placement Service for Indonesian Students
    • Requirements:
      • Complete the application form online through https://kemdikbud.go.id/;
      • Attach the required documents, including:
        • Student Placement from Foreign Schools Abroad to Indonesian Schools in Indonesia:
          1. Passport and Birth Certificate;
          2. Certificate of transfer from the previous or former school;
          3. Certificate from the relevant Indonesian Representative Office (KBRI); and
          4. Academic Transcript/Report Card for the Most Recent Grade.
        • Student Placement from Partnership Education Unit (SPK) Schools to National Indonesian Schools in Indonesia:
          1. Transfer Certificate from the Principal of the Previous School; and
          2. Academic Transcript/Report Card for the Most Recent Grade.
  3. Foreign Student Study Permit Service
    • Requirements:
      • Complete the application form online through https://kemdikbud.go.id/;
      • Attach the complete set of required supporting documents for the application.
    • Study Permit for New Foreign Students:
      • Statement confirming that the applicant is not employed, bearing a Rp6,000 stamp duty and signed by the student;
      • Statement of Financial Sponsorship, bearing a Rp6,000 stamp duty and signed by the parent/sponsor;
      • Certificate from the school in Indonesia where the student intends to enroll;
      • Student’s passport, valid for at least 18 months;
      • Latest Report Card;
      • Parent’s Passport/Sponsor’s Identification Document.
    • Extension of Study Permit for Foreign Students:
      • Statement confirming that the applicant is not employed, bearing a Rp6,000 stamp duty and signed by the student;
      • Statement of Financial Sponsorship, bearing a Rp6,000 stamp duty and signed by the parent/sponsor;
      • Certificate from the school in Indonesia where the student intends to enroll;
      • Student’s Passport;
      • Latest Report Card;
      • Parent’s National ID Card (KTP)/Passport or Sponsor’s Identification Document;
      • KITAS (Limited Stay Permit Card);
      • STM (Police Reporting Certificate) issued by the Police.

For parents who wish to enroll their children at Al Ma’soem, including students transferring from schools abroad, Al Ma’soem provides education at the following levels: Play Group (PG), Kindergarten (TK), Elementary School (SD), Junior High School (SMP), Senior High School (SMA), Higher Education, and Al Ma’soem Student Islamic Boarding School (Al Ma’soem Boarding School).

Writer : Ayi Mi’raz