Challenges And Strategies Of Local Government In Implementing The Primary School New Student Admission System In Badung Regency

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the challenges and strategies faced by local governments in implementing the zoning system for New Student Admissions (NSA) at the primary school level in Badung Regency, Bali. The method used is a qualitative approach with in-depth interview techniques with school principals, Education Office officials, and technical staff in three sub-districts with different regional characteristics: Petang (rural), Mengwi (suburban), and Kuta Selatan (urban). The results of the study indicate that the implementation of the zoning system faces various challenges, including limited digital infrastructure, low digital literacy of parents, limited technical capacity of school human resources, and administrative conflicts in verifying population documents. The local government implements a responsive strategy through technical training, public socialization, and annual zoning evaluations based on spatial data. The study's discussion refers to four theoretical approaches: policy implementation theory (Van Meter & Van Horn), local government strategy (Bryson), good governance (Grindle), and educational equity (OECD). This study produces new findings in the form of a zoning analysis framework based on local regional characteristics and a comprehensive integration of theoretical approaches. Recommendations are given for strengthening digital capacity, adaptive zoning, and evaluation mechanisms based on public accountability.