'All parents complain about high education fees'<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono complained recently about the
\ngrowing number of private schools, many of which, he said, put
\nprofit before quality education. However, the government has not
\nyet been able to place a high priority on education, especially
\nfor the poor, as stipulated in the Constitution. The Jakarta Post
\nasked residents their thoughts on this important issue.<\/p>\n
Parjo, 45, is a security guard at Tanah Abang market in
\nCentral Jakarta. He lives with his wife and three children in
\nKebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I have three children, the eldest is now in high school, while
\nthe other two in are junior high school.<\/p>\n
Thank God they were able to pass the admission requirements to
\nenter state schools, as the tuition fees are cheaper than private
\nschools.<\/p>\n
But still the amount of the school fees and other related
\nexpenditures for their education is a big burden on me, because
\nit costs around a third of my monthly salary of Rp 1 million
\n(US$105).<\/p>\n
My second child will enter high school next July. It gives me
\nheadache just thinking about the expensive entrance fee.<\/p>\n
I heard that the Jakarta administration prohibits schools from
\ncollecting entrance fees from the parents, but I don't think it
\nis stopping the schools from taking something from us, legal or
\nnot. Such practices are common here.<\/p>\n
I could never dream of sending my children to a high-quality
\nprivate school.<\/p>\n
For me, it is enough to see my children go to a state school
\nso that they can continue studying without worrying too much
\nabout the fees.<\/p>\n
Burhana, 40, works at a bank on Jl. S. Parman in West Jakarta.
\nHe lives in Kebon Melati in Central Jakarta. He has two children,
\nboth are studying in elementary school:<\/p>\n
All parents, especially from the low-income bracket, of
\ncourse, complain about the high education fees, although I have
\nnot experienced it yet because my two children are still in
\nelementary school.<\/p>\n
Several of my neighbors, whose children are studying at junior
\nhigh and high schools, said that they had to pay some Rp 2
\nmillion in entrance fees to state schools.<\/p>\n
I wonder what the politicians have done after getting what
\nthey want?<\/p>\n
During the election campaigns last year, they promised to
\nfight for free education.<\/p>\n
I hope when it's time for my children to enter junior high
\nschool over the next several years, the government is able to
\nprovide free education for all.<\/p>\n
I'm not sure whether my children are now at a quality school
\nor not. Moreover, I don't think state schools are so bad, many of
\ntheir graduates later go to university.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/all-parents-complain-about-high-education-fees-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }