Quality Accreditation for Quality Education

Abstract

Educational accreditation is a strategic mechanism for ensuring and enhancing the quality of education within the Indonesian national education system, as mandated by Undang-Undang Nomor 20 Tahun 2003 and further regulated under Peraturan Menteri Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset dan Teknologi Nomor 38 Tahun 2023. Despite its normative function as a continuous quality assurance instrument, accreditation in practice is often reduced to an administrative requirement aimed at obtaining formal recognition. This study examines the conceptual role of school accreditation in promoting sustainable quality improvement and strengthening public accountability. Using a descriptive-analytical approach based on an in-depth literature review of laws, ministerial regulations, accreditation instruments, and relevant scholarly publications, this article critically analyzes the gap between the intended objectives of accreditation and its actual implementation in schools. The findings indicate that accreditation should be repositioned as a self-regulation and quality mapping mechanism that supports long-term institutional development rather than short-term performance enhancement during assessment periods. This study contributes theoretically by reframing accreditation as an integral component of sustainable educational governance, conceptually by linking accreditation outcomes with quality mapping and stakeholder trust-building, and practically by providing a reflective framework for policymakers and school leaders to utilize accreditation results as strategic feedback for continuous improvement. Ultimately, accreditation must be understood as an ongoing and transformative process that supports the realization of high-quality education at local, regional, and national levels.