'Education is a national investment'<\/p>\n
The city administration is giving more money to state elementary
\nand junior high schools as part of its drive to provide free
\neducation for all children. Some of the more popular state
\nschools, however, are less than impressed by the effort, saying
\nthey require more money and will continue to collect fees from
\nstudents. The Jakarta Post spoke with residents about the issue.<\/p>\n
Aldhy Setiadi, 31, works in the IT department of a textile
\nfirm in Central Jakarta. He lives with his six-year-old son in
\nBintaro, Tangerang.<\/p>\n
It would be great if true, after all I have a son and I know
\nhow expensive education is. But from my experience, there are no
\nfreebies. My son's school says it will not charge students any
\nextra fees, beyond the compulsory registration fee, but then they
\nmake students pay for the use of the air conditioners and for
\ndifferent school activities.<\/p>\n
But I hope that when the administration says \"free schooling\",
\nit really means free. This initiative is aimed at the poor,
\nright, so even schoolbooks and uniforms should be free.<\/p>\n
The government should look at education as an investment, so
\nit doesn't really lose anything by providing free education.<\/p>\n
Diah Mitawati, 32, is a member of the editorial staff of a
\npublication in South Jakarta. She lives in Meruya Ilir, West
\nJakarta, and has a two-month-old son.<\/p>\n
I agree that education should be free at state schools,
\nbecause really the price of education has become unbelievably
\nhigh.<\/p>\n
My baby is only two months old but I've already started saving
\nfor his education, but with the prices of everything else rising,
\nI don't know how much I will be able to save.<\/p>\n
I don't assume everything will be free. I understand if
\nparents still have to pay an entrance fee and re-registration
\nfee. I just hope that schools do not try to make up for the other
\nfees they can no longer collect by charging higher entrance fees.<\/p>\n
And what about quality? If getting rid of fees also means
\nlower quality teachers, then it would be better to keep charging
\nthe fees. Just not as high, that's all.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/education-is-a-national-investment-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }