SPK School in Indonesia: Meaning, Legal Basis, and Differences
What is SPK school? It is a school run by foreign and Indonesian education bodies. Learn its legal rules and how to check its permit and accreditation.
Written by Fajar Webarq. Updated October 26, 2026.
Summary
Contents
- SPK stands for Satuan Pendidikan Kerja Sama, or "cooperative education unit": a school created through a partnership between a foreign education body and an Indonesian one. It is governed by Permendikbud 31/2014.
- "International school" is not an official status. SPK schools are barred from using the word "Internasional" in their names, and Indonesian citizen (WNI) students must still study Religion, Civics (PPKn), and Bahasa Indonesia.
- SPK schools do not use SPMB, Indonesia's national student admissions system. Before you apply, check the school's status, permit validity, and accreditation in the Data Referensi and BAN-PDM databases.
An SPK school is a school established or jointly run by a foreign education body and an Indonesian education body, with permission from the minister of education. Many parents know it as an "international school," but that term is not a legal status. This guide explains the SPK rules, how these schools fit into new student admissions, how to check a school's status, and which questions to ask.
What SPK Means
SPK is short for Satuan Pendidikan Kerja Sama. Under Article 1 of Permendikbud No. 31 of 2014, an SPK is an education unit operated or managed under a partnership between an accredited or recognized foreign education body (LPA) and an Indonesian education body (LPI).
An SPK can offer kindergarten (TK), elementary (SD), junior high (SMP), or senior high (SMA or SMK) education (Article 2). In the Kemendikdasmen (Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education) data, the school is recorded as its own education form, such as "SPK TK," "SPK SD," and "SPK SMP." An Indonesian partner that initiates a formal-track SPK must hold A accreditation, and partnerships at the early childhood (PAUD) and formal school levels must be non-profit (Article 4).
The legal foundation is Article 65 of the National Education System Law (UU Sisdiknas). It allows foreign education bodies to operate in Indonesia if they partner with an Indonesian body and teach religion and citizenship to Indonesian students.
In search results, "SPK" also refers to Sekolah Perawat Kesehatan, a former nursing school (history of the UGM Master of Nursing program). This article covers only SPK as a cooperative school.
Legal Basis and Main SPK Rules
The main rules for SPKs are in Permendikbud 31/2014, in force since April 29, 2014. It covers licensing, curriculum, compulsory subjects for Indonesian students, staffing, the ban on the word "Internasional," accreditation, and fees. As of October 26, 2026, we found no regulation that revokes it, and BAN-PDM still issues accreditation decrees (SK) specifically for SPKs.
| Aspect | Requirement | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | The school may operate after the Minister issues its establishment permit. Permits for formal education tracks are valid for 6 years. | 19, 27(4) |
| Permit renewal | Must be submitted 6 months before the permit expires. If the renewal has not been issued 3 months before expiry, the SPK may not accept new students. | 28 |
| Curriculum | Based on the National Education Standards, which may be enriched with another country's curriculum, or the school may use another country's curriculum with approval. | 7, 11(1) |
| Compulsory subjects | Indonesian students: Religious Education, PPKn (Civics), Bahasa Indonesia. Foreign students: Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesian Culture. | 11(3)–(4) |
| Language of instruction | PPKn and Bahasa Indonesia must be taught in Bahasa Indonesia. | 12(3) |
| Students | Open to Indonesian (WNI) and foreign (WNA) citizens. SPKs may not refuse prospective Indonesian students. Every student must have a NISN (National Student Identification Number). | 8 |
| Teachers | At least 30% must be Indonesian citizens, with a minimum S1 or D-IV qualification. | 9(2) and (4) |
| Education staff | Excluding leadership, at least 80% must be Indonesian citizens. The principal must hold a master's degree. Foreign staff may not hold personnel management positions. | 10 |
| Name | The word "Internasional" may not be used in the names of schools, programs, classes, or subjects. | 35 |
| Accreditation | National accreditation is mandatory, no later than 1 year after the SPK's first graduating class. Accreditation from the partner's home country may be added. | 5, 32 |
| Fees | Privately run SPKs may charge fees to sustain the school. | 16(2) |
| Sanctions | Written warnings, a ban on accepting new students, or permit revocation. | 36 |
Article 28 matters most for parents. If a permit is close to expiring and the renewal has not been issued, the school may not accept new students. Check the permit's validity before you pay any entrance fee.
As of July 2026, the revision of the UU Sisdiknas is in the harmonization stage at the House of Representatives (DPR RI). If it passes, the rules for cooperative schools could change.
How SPK Differs From an "International School"
Legally, "international school" is no longer a school status. Permendikbud 31/2014 required existing international and foreign schools to become SPKs, become national schools, or close by December 1, 2014. SPKs themselves are barred from using the word "Internasional" in their names.
The confusion usually comes from three similar terms:
| Term | What it is | Current status | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSBI/SBI (pilot or standard international school) | A government or regional government program to develop schools into "international standard" schools | Its legal basis was declared non-binding by the Constitutional Court on January 8, 2013 | Constitutional Court Decision 5/PUU-X/2012 on Article 50(3) of the UU Sisdiknas |
| Former "international school" | A foreign or internationally labeled school licensed before the 2014 rules | Required to become an SPK, become a national school, or close by December 1, 2014 | Article 39(2) of Permendikbud 31/2014 |
| SPK | A school formed through a partnership between a foreign and an Indonesian education body | Current official status | Permendikbud 31/2014 |
"International school" still appears in advertising, but the official data determines a school's status. If the listing says "SPK SD" or "SPK SMP," the school is an SPK. If it says "SD" or "SMP," the school is registered as a national school, and you should ask what legal basis supports the "international" program it offers.
SPK and SPMB: How to Enroll and Age Rules
SPK schools do not use SPMB, the national student admissions system. Permendikdasmen No. 3 of 2025, Article 7(2), excludes cooperative education units from the domicile, affirmation, achievement, and transfer pathways. You apply directly to the school, and Permendikbud 31/2014 leaves the admissions procedure to each SPK.
Three points matter when you apply:
- SPKs are open to Indonesian children. Article 8(2) of Permendikbud 31/2014 prohibits SPKs from refusing prospective Indonesian students, while paragraph (3) leaves admissions to each SPK. Ask how the school applies both rules, including its admissions schedule and entrance assessment.
- SPK rules do not set an age for entry. The exclusion in Permendikdasmen 3/2025 covers only admission pathways. For SD, SPMB rules give priority to children aged 7 and set a minimum of 6 years old as of July 1. Ask the school directly about its age policy, especially if your child was born in the second half of the year. Details are in our guide to elementary school age requirements.
- Transferring to a national school midway. Under Article 56(3) of Permendikdasmen 3/2025, students moving from a school using the national education system continue at their current grade level. Students moving from a school using a foreign education system are placed in the class determined by the receiving school. Ask which system the SPK you are considering uses.
How to Check an SPK's Status and Accreditation
You can check an SPK's status yourself in a few minutes. The Kemendikdasmen Data Referensi shows the education form, the number and validity period of the operating permit decree (SK), and accreditation. BAN-PDM shows the full accreditation history. Have the school's NPSN (National School Principal Number, the school's official identification number) ready. You can ask the admissions office for it.
- Open the Kemendikdasmen Data Referensi and search by NPSN or school name.
- Check the Education Form field. Cooperative schools are listed as "SPK TK," "SPK SD," or "SPK SMP."
- Check the Operating Permit SK Number, along with the TMT (effective start date) and TST (valid until date). If the end date is near, ask about the renewal status.
- Open the BAN-PDM Accreditation Data, search for the same school, and check the rating, SK number, and year the accreditation expires. In December 2025, BAN-PDM issued accreditation decrees specifically for SPKs.
- If the school mentions accreditation from a partner's home country, treat it as an addition. Article 5 of Permendikbud 31/2014 still requires national accreditation.
For a full walkthrough on reading accreditation results, see our guide to checking school accreditation online.
Finding SPKs in Jakarta or other cities. We do not publish school lists or recommendations. You can build your own list from official data:
- In the Data Referensi, open the Data Pendidikan menu, then Satuan Pendidikan, then Dikdas for SD and SMP, or PAUD for TK.
- In the education form filter, select "SPK SD" or "SPK SMP" (under PAUD: "SPK TK"), then click Terapkan (Apply).
- Click your province, such as D.K.I. Jakarta, then the municipality and district closest to your home.
Questions to Ask an SPK
Bring questions you can check against the rules, not just impressions from a school tour. Focus on five areas: legal status, curriculum, compulsory subjects, teachers, and fees. For money and diplomas, ask for written answers, since those are the hardest to change once your child is enrolled.
- What is the school's NPSN, and when does its operating permit SK expire?
- Who is the foreign education partner, and who is the Indonesian partner?
- Which curriculum does the school use: the national curriculum enriched with other content, or another country's curriculum? Has it received approval?
- How are Religious Education, PPKn, and Bahasa Indonesia taught to Indonesian students? How many hours per week, and who teaches them?
- What report cards and diplomas will my child receive at the end of each level?
- What is the ratio of Indonesian to foreign teachers, and how long do teachers typically stay?
- What is the latest BAN-PDM accreditation rating, and when does it expire?
- What are the fee components, when do they usually increase, what is the refund policy if my child leaves, and in what currency are invoices issued?
- If my child later moves to a national school, how will the class placement be decided?
- How does the school support students who are not yet fluent in the language of instruction?
More general questions are in our open house question list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SPK stand for?
Satuan Pendidikan Kerja Sama, or cooperative education unit. The term is used in Permendikbud 31/2014 for schools jointly run by a foreign education body and an Indonesian education body.
Is an SPK school the same as an international school?
Not exactly. "International school" is a everyday label, while SPK is the official status. Since 2014, former international schools have had to become SPKs, become national schools, or close, and SPKs are barred from using the word "Internasional" in their names.
Do SPK schools use SPMB or zoning?
No. Permendikdasmen 3/2025 excludes SPKs from the domicile, affirmation, achievement, and transfer pathways. You apply directly to the school, under the schedule and requirements it sets.
Are SPK schools required to teach religion?
Yes, for Indonesian students. Article 11(3) of Permendikbud 31/2014 requires Religious Education, PPKn, and Bahasa Indonesia. Foreign students must take Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesian Culture.
Are SPK diplomas recognized?
Article 17 of Permendikbud 31/2014 says graduates who pass the SPK exams receive a diploma or STTB (school leaving certificate), and every student must have a NISN. Ask the school which diplomas Indonesian students receive, especially if your child may later move to a national school.
How do I find SPK schools in Jakarta?
In the Kemendikdasmen Data Referensi, use the education form filter "SPK SD," "SPK SMP," or "SPK TK," then select D.K.I. Jakarta and your area. Check each school's accreditation on BAN-PDM.
Next Steps
If an SPK is still one of your options, compare it with public, private, SDIT, and MI schools in the differences between public, private, SDIT, MI, and SPK elementary schools, then use our elementary school selection checklist when you visit. For guidance on every level, see the Complete Guide to Choosing a School for Your Child.
