Protests erupted across various regions in response to these increases. At Semarang State University (UNNES), hundreds of students gathered to protest the rise in IPI for the 2024 academic year. Demonstrations involved banners and speeches demanding the cancellation of the fee hikes. The Vice-Rector of UNNES, Prof. Zaenuri, declined to comment during the protests.
The controversy over UKT also reached the legislative level, with members of the House of Representatives (DPR) criticizing a Kemendikbudristek official's statement that education is a tertiary need. This criticism was voiced during a working meeting with Commission X of the DPR.
In response, Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, pledged before Commission X to halt unreasonable increases in UKT. He committed to evaluating and reassessing any unjustifiable fee hikes.
The issue escalated to the presidential level, where President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called a meeting with Nadiem to address the matter. Following the meeting, Nadiem announced the cancellation of the UKT increase for the 2024/2025 academic year, a decision endorsed by President Jokowi. Nadiem also stated that Kemendikbud would reevaluate all requests for UKT increases from public universities. Subsequently, UNNES officially announced that there would be no increase in UKT or IPI for 2024, following coordination with the Ministry.
The rise in Uang Kuliah Tunggal (UKT) and Iuran Pengembangan Institusi (IPI) imposes a significant financial burden on students and their families, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. Tuition fee increases can exacerbate economic inequality by making higher education less accessible to those who cannot afford the rising costs. For example, many students may have to work additional part-time jobs to cover their educational expenses, which could have an impact on their academic performance and overall well-being. This economic strain may also result in higher dropout rates, as students may be forced to discontinue their studies due to financial constraints.
