The Impact of Implementing School Zoning Policy on Inequality of Access to Education at the Junior High School Level

The Indonesian government has implemented a school zoning policy to address the gap in access for students from poor economic backgrounds. However, in reality, the implementation of the policy has not made it easier for students from poor economic backgrounds. There is a need for this study because there is a gap between theory, expectations, and reality in the field. The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of the school zoning policy on access for students from poor economic backgrounds to junior high schools. The research method used was a mixed method. The subjects of the study were junior high school students with a population of nine regions totaling 5,000 students from poor economic backgrounds and a sample of 850. Data collection techniques used surveys, observations, interviews, and documentation. Survey analysis techniques with descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 25.0 by assessing the mean, percentage, and standard deviation. Qualitative data analysis reduced the data and allowed the researchers to draw conclusions by comparing it with the results of quantitative data. The results of the study were that the school zoning policy in Indonesia is effective in reducing the gap in access for students from poor economic backgrounds in public junior high schools so that the distribution of students between schools becomes more even. However, there was a negative impact on some students from poor economic backgrounds if zoning access was limited. In conclusion, the school zoning policy can distribute students evenly between schools but most poor students cannot access public schools. Recommendations are made for research to be conducted by involving the government in a broader study.