Anwar Siswadi (Kontributor), Jakarta – West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has mandated that all school levels begin classes at 06:30 a.m. local time starting in the 2025/2026 academic year. Some parents in Bandung have expressed concern about the potential for heavier morning traffic.
"Since all the school start times are the same now, I'm worried the kids will be late," said Bandung resident Anne Rufaidah on Wednesday, June 4.
Before the 06:30 a.m. start time was introduced, Anne had grown used to dropping off her two children at private schools by motorcycle. She would leave the house at 06:00 a.m., first taking her youngest to elementary school, which started at 06:20 a.m., then continuing to her eldest's junior high school, which began at 06:45 a.m.. "It's usually smooth, but I don't know how it'll be if everyone starts at 06:30 a.m.," she said.
So far, Anne hasn't received any notice from either of her children's private schools about a change in class hours. She also regularly picks them up after school between 01:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m. for one child and 03:30 p.m. for the other. Both attend school Monday to Friday.
Another parent, Iman, said the new 06:30 a.m. start time doesn't present a major issue for him. Every day, he drives his two children to junior and senior high schools, both in the same area. "Maybe it'll be a problem for those who have to travel far or through congested areas," he said. Iman specifically chose nearby schools to avoid traffic.
West Java Governor's Circular No: 58/PK.03/Disdik sets the effective school hours for all education units in the province. Schools from early childhood education (PAUD) to senior high school and equivalents must now start uniformly at 06:30 a.m. local time, with daily learning durations ranging from 2 to 11 hours. The rule applies to general schools, Islamic schools (madrasah), and special education schools. School is held five days a week, Monday to Friday.
Education activist Iwan Hermawan from the Forum Aksi Guru Independen (FAGI) in Bandung said school start times are closely tied to parents' daily routines – many drop their kids off on the way to work. With the new schedule, some parents may need to adjust their work departure times. "So it's likely there will be traffic early in the morning," he told Tempo on Monday, June 2.
He suggested that the local government provide transportation for students if schools are to start as early as 06:00 a.m. "That way, parents would only need to drop them off at the bus stop," he said.
Before, Governor Dedi Mulyadi had proposed that school activities be held from Monday to Friday, with classes beginning at 06:00 a.m. He called for support from regents and mayors, arguing that such a policy had already been implemented during his tenure as Regent of Purwakarta.